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Every entry summarises what the study set out to test, what it found and why it changes how we design delivery systems. Browse research and reviews or search the collection.

391 articles

Keyword: Antigen presentationClear keyword
Nature Communications2023ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

1. Engineering tumor-specific gene nanomedicine to recruit and activate T cells for enhanced immunotherapy

Yue Wang, Shi-Kun Zhou, Yan Wang, Zi-Dong Lu, Yue Zhang, Cong-Fei Xu, Jun Wang

PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy is successful but often yields poor benefits due to insufficient T-cell infiltration and low intratumoral concentrations of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. While strategies exist to increase either T-cell recruitment or inhibitor delivery, none actively recruit T cells while achieving tumor-specific delivery of PD-L1 inhibitors to specifically eliminate inhibition of tumor-infiltrating T cells. A strategy that addresses both. ### Nanoparticle Characterization | Parameter | Value | |---------------|-----------| | Hydrodynamic diameter | 107.2 nm | | PDI | ~0.2 | | Zeta potential | +15.3 mV | | Stability in 10% FBS | ≥5 days (size/PDI stable).

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Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B2022ReviewNon-viral Gene Delivery

2. Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Cancer Immunotherapy

Yingping Zeng, Sufen Li, Shufen Zhang, Li Wang, Hong Yuan, Fuqiang Hu

Cancer immunotherapy is limited by tumor heterogeneity, immune cell disability, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and systemic immune toxicity. Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CMCNs) offer a biomimetic delivery strategy that inherits source-cell functions—immune evasion, tumor targeting, and biological compatibility—to precisely deliver immunotherapeutic drugs and enhance anti-cancer immunity. --- - Cancer vaccine response rates: clinical patient response to cancer vaccines remains relatively low at 11–50%; ICB inhibitors show ~80% effective rate in lymphoma but only 10–30% in solid tumors. - Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) extends overall survival by 4.1 months in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. - APMC vaccine (B16F10 cancer cell membrane-coated CpG/aluminum phosphate nanoparticles): increased DC maturation, enhanced cellular/humoral immunity, improved tumor prevention/treatment and longer mouse survival vs.

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Nature Communications2021ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

3. PLGA-particle vaccine carrying TLR3/RIG-I ligand Riboxxim synergizes with immune checkpoint blockade for effective anti-cancer immunotherapy

Julia Koerner, Dennis Horvath, Valerie L. Herrmann, Anna Mackeracher, Bruno Gander, Hideo Yagita, Jacques Rohayem, Marcus Groettrup

Cancer immunotherapy needs potent, pharmaceutically defined, GMP-compatible adjuvants for clinical translation. Poly(I:C) is a widely used TLR3 agonist but has ill-defined structure, heterogeneity, pyrogen contamination, and toxicity concerns. Riboxxim is a well-defined 100-bp double-stranded RNA with a 5′-triphosphate moiety that activates both endosomal TLR3 and cytosolic RIG-I. PLGA particles can co-deliver antigen and adjuvant to dendritic. Particle properties: MPs ~1–1.5 µm; NPs ~250 nm; negative zeta potential; OVA release burst within 24 h followed by sustained release. MPs showed better release profile than NPs. - Route comparison: Subcutaneous.

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Immunotherapy* (Future Science Group)2020ReviewNon-viral Gene Delivery

4. Ex Vivo-Generated Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccines in Melanoma: The Role of Nanoparticulate Delivery Systems

Mona Yazdani, Mahmoud Reza Jaafari, Javad Verdi, Behrang Alani, Mahdi Noureddini, Ali Badiee

Melanoma is a poorly immunogenic and highly aggressive skin cancer with limited long-term survival for advanced disease. Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are promising immunotherapies, but their efficacy relies on critical factors including DC maturation state and efficient antigen delivery. Nanoparticulate delivery systems can enhance antigen delivery to ex vivo-generated DCs, mediate DC maturation (adjuvanticity), and promote cytoplasmic antigen presentation through MHC class I—potentially leading to potent antigen-specific immune responses. This review addresses the need to consolidate and evaluate the role of different nanoparticulate delivery systems in ex vivo-generated DC-based vaccines against melanoma. --- - Fusogenic liposomes (FLs): TCL/FLs-pulsed DCs significantly inhibited tumor growth until 17 days post-inoculation; superior to TCL/CLs-pulsed DCs. - Cationic liposomes (Srinivas et al.): Lipid 5 (shikimoyl headgroup) indu

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Therapeutic Delivery* (Future Science Group) Year/Publication: Published online 4 December 20182018ReviewNon-viral Gene Delivery

5. Controlling Endosomal Escape Using Nanoparticle Composition: Current Progress and Future Perspectives

Not Fully Listed In The Supplied File; Corresponding Authors Indicated By Emails: [email protected] And [email protected] Doi/link: Not Included In The Supplied File

Endosomal escape remains a major roadblock for delivering biological therapeutics such as DNA, siRNA, and proteins. Polymeric nanoparticles can protect cargo and target cells, but they often remain trapped in endosomal/lysosomal compartments, where cargo is degraded. A better understanding of how nanoparticle composition controls endosomal escape is needed to design more effective delivery systems. --- - Hydrophobicity: 30% BMA was optimal for hemolysis at endosomal pH 6.2; higher BMA prevented efficient nanoparticle disassembly. 30% BMA also improved DNA transfection in RAW 264.7 and JAWSII cells. - Polymer architecture: Cross-linked and hyperbranched nanoparticles showed significantly higher hemolysis than linear counterparts; hyperbranched variants enhanced MHC class I antigen presentation. - Protonation rates: Odd-numbered aminoethylene repeats in N-substituted polyaspartamides improved mRNA transcription and endosomal escape; even-

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Biomaterials2017ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

6. Enhanced antitumor immunity by targeting dendritic cells with tumor cell lysate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles vaccine

Shi Gn, Zhang Cn, Xu R, Niu Jf, Song Hj, Zhang Xy, Wang Ww, Wang Ym, Li C, Wei Xq, Kong Dl

Whole tumor cell lysates (TCL) are a broad source of tumor antigens for cancer vaccines, but soluble TCL is unstable, poorly taken up by dendritic cells (DCs), and inefficient at inducing cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. A delivery system was needed to protect TCL antigens, target DCs, and enhance antigen presentation and antitumor immunity. Nanoparticle characterization: Man-CTS-TCL NPs were ~120 nm, spherical, with a zeta potential of ~ −12 mV. Protein release was elevated at pH 5.0 compared with pH 7.4. - DC uptake/maturation: Man-CTS-TCL NPs increased.

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Nature Nanotechnology2014ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

7. A Carbon Nanotube–Polymer Composite for T-Cell Therapy

Tarek R. Fadel, Fiona A. Sharp, Nalini Vudattu, Ragy Ragheb, Justin Garyu, Dongin Kim, Enping Hong, Nan Li, Gary L. Haller, Lisa D. Pfefferle, Sune Justesen, Kevan C. Herold, Tarek M. Fahmy

Adoptive cell transfer of tumor-specific T cells is a promising cancer immunotherapy, but efficient and economical ex vivo expansion of T cells remains a bottleneck. Artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) with high surface area and modular design could overcome cost and scalability limits of dendritic cell–based expansion. Murine T-cell expansion: CNPs expanded OT-1 CD8⁺ T cells ~200-fold after 2 weeks—more than 2× DYNA-EXO and more than 4× TET-EXO. - Cytokine efficiency: Expansion comparable to clinical standards using 1,000-fold less.

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Bioconjugate Chemistry2014ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

8. Potential of Ni(II)-NTA-Modified Poly(ethylene imine) Glycopolymers as Carrier System for Future Dendritic Cell-Based Immunother

Hauptmann N, Pion M, Wehner R, Muñoz-Fernández M-A, Schmitz M, Voit B, Appelhans D

Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy requires efficient delivery of antigens to immature DCs (iDCs) and maintenance of their immunostimulatory and migratory functions. Cationic PEI carriers are limited by dose-dependent toxicity and aggregation at endosomal pH, so a biocompatible, pH-responsive carrier is needed. Biocompatibility: 4 µM His₆-Gp160 and 20 µM Ni(II)-NTA-DG did not significantly reduce monocyte or iDC viability. Polyplex 1:4 at 4 µM peptide/16 µM polymer significantly reduced monocyte viability; iDC viability was.

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Cellular Immunology (Elsevier)2014ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

9. PLGA-nanoparticle mediated delivery of anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody enhances anti-tumor cytotoxic T cell responses

Mingshui Chen, Haichao Ouyang, Shangyong Zhou, Jieyu Li, Yunbin Ye

Agonistic anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) can enhance anti-tumor immunity in preclinical models, but as monotherapy it showed only marginal activity and no objective clinical responses in a phase I trial. A delivery system that improves T cell access, multivalent OX40 engagement, and sustained release of anti-OX40 mAb could enhance cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses for cancer immunotherapy. Nanoparticle properties: Size 86.0 ± 14.1 nm; zeta potential −12.8 ± 1.5 mV; encapsulation efficiency 65.8 ± 5.6%; loading ~25% (248 ± 16.3 µg mAb/mg polymer); sustained release ~55% over 20 days with no initial burst.

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European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics2013ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

10. Optimization of encapsulation of a synthetic long peptide in PLGA nanoparticles: low burst release is crucial for efficient CD8⁺ T cell activation

A.L. Silva, R.A. Rosalia, A. Sazak, M.G. Carstens, F. Ossendorp, J. Oostendorp, W. Jiskoot

Overlapping synthetic long peptides (SLPs) are promising for therapeutic cancer vaccination, but Montanide-based formulations have limitations including non-biodegradability, local side effects, poorly controlled release, and limited scalability. PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) offer a biodegradable alternative, but efficient encapsulation of moderately hydrophobic SLPs with low burst release had not been achieved. Standard acidic inner phase: Encapsulation efficiency was very low (1–30%) and burst release was extremely high (>70%) upon resuspension in PBS or IMDM. - Critical role of inner phase pH: Alkaline inner aqueous phase.

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Journal of Controlled Release2010ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

11. Targeted PLGA nano- but not microparticles specifically deliver antigen to human dendritic cells via DC-SIGN in vitro

Luis J. Cruz, Paul J. Tacken, Remco Fokkink, Ben Joosten, Martien Cohen Stuart, Fernando Albericio, Ruurd Torensma, Carl G. Figdor

Antibody-mediated targeting of vaccine components to dendritic cells (DCs) enhances vaccine efficacy, but linking multiple antigens and immune modulators to a single antibody is limited. Slow-release PLGA particles conjugated to DC-specific antibodies could overcome this by delivering large antigen payloads and enabling co-encapsulation of adjuvants. However, it was unknown whether nano- or micrometer-sized PLGA particles are better suited for. Particle characterization: MPs ~2 µm, NPs ~200 nm; PEG-lipid coating reduced zeta potential; antigen encapsulation 78–91%; antibody conjugation ~20–30 µg/mg PLGA. - Antigen degradation kinetics: Encapsulated antigen.

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Molecular Pharmaceutics2007ResearchNon-viral Gene Delivery

12. Polymer Nanoparticles for Immunotherapy from Encapsulated Tumor-Associated Antigens and Whole Tumor Cells

C. M. Solbrig, J. K. Saucier-Sawyer, V. Cody, W. M. Saltzman, D. J. Hanlon

Current antitumor vaccines are limited by the small number of defined tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) for most solid tumors and by poor delivery of soluble antigen to dendritic cells (DCs). Autologous whole-tumor lysates contain the full antigenic repertoire, but soluble lysates are unstable and poorly internalized. Biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles may protect antigens, improve DC uptake, and enhance cross-presentation to cytotoxic T cells. Encapsulation: Efficiency increased with PLGA molecular weight and decreased with initial protein loading. For OVA at 50 mg/mL loading: 15K = 27%, 45K = 22%, 80K = 55%, 105K = 99%. At 100 mg/mL loading, encapsulation.

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Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews2005ReviewNon-viral Gene Delivery

13. PLGA microspheres for improved antigen delivery to dendritic cells as cellular vaccines

Ying Waeckerle-Men And Marcus Groettrup

Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are limited by the short persistence of MHC class I/peptide complexes on the DC surface—often only a few hours—when soluble peptides are loaded exogenously. This short presentation limits CTL activation and vaccine efficacy. The authors investigated biodegradable PLGA microspheres (PLGA-MS) as an antigen delivery system to human monocyte-derived DC (hMoDC), aiming to prolong antigen presentation on both MHC. Uptake: Immature hMoDC took up 10–30 PLGA-MS per cell within 1–4 h; 61% of cells were FITC-MS positive by flow cytometry. - Direct vaccination: A single injection of 20 µg TT in PLGA-MS yielded antibody titers.

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Trends in Immunology2002ReviewNon-viral Gene Delivery

14. Caveolae and Caveolin in Immune Cells: Distribution and Functions

James Harris, Dirk Werling, Jayne C. Hope, Geraldine Taylor, Chris J. Howard

Caveolae and caveolin are cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains involved in endocytosis, cholesterol regulation, and signal transduction, but their presence and function in immune cells have been contentious. This review addresses the need to clarify the distribution and roles of caveolae/caveolin in mammalian immune cells, especially given emerging evidence that they mediate pathogen internalization by antigen-presenting cells and participate in immune-cell signaling. --- 1. Distribution is contentious and context-dependent: Caveolae/caveolin are commonly found in myeloid cells (macrophages, mast cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils) but not consistently in lymphoid cells. More recent evidence suggests they may be present in all immune cell types, with expression/distribution dependent on activation and/or maturation state. 2. Species and cell-type differences in caveolin localization: Human CD26+ and CD21+ peripheral blood lymphocytes

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