Branched Polyethylenimine-Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (bPEI-SPIONs) Improve the Immunogenicity of Tumor Antigens and Enhance Th1 Polarization of Dendritic Cells

J Immunol Res. 2015:2015:706379. doi: 10.1155/2015/706379. Epub 2015 Jun 28.

Abstract

Nanoparticles in the field of dendritic cell (DC) research are emerging as a promising method of enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. We investigated the effect of branched polyethylenimine-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (bPEI-SPIONs) on tumor cells loaded onto DCs. The tumor antigens were prepared as follows: (1) apoptotic U266 cells with ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation followed by a 2 h incubation in the absence (2 h postirradiated cells) or (2) presence of bPEI-SPIONs (bPEI-SPION 2 h postirradiated cells) and (3) apoptotic U266 cells with UVB irradiation followed by an overnight 16 h incubation (16 h postirradiated cells). bPEI-SPIONs render U266 cells sensitive to UVB irradiation through reactive oxygen species production to accelerate apoptotic death. The 2 h postirradiated cells and bPEI-SPION 2 h postirradiated cells released immunogenic proteins, including Hsp70, Hsp90, and HMGB1. The DCs loaded with bPEI-SPION 2 h postirradiated cells showed the highest IL-12p70 production and Th1 polarization compared with other DCs. These results suggest that bPEI-SPIONs are a promising method of enhancing the immunogenicity of tumor cells and promoting Th1 polarization of DCs loaded with these tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / chemistry
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Movement
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Polyethyleneimine / administration & dosage
  • Polyethyleneimine / chemistry*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / radiation effects
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Polyethyleneimine