Differential levels of dendritic cell maturation on different biomaterials used in combination products

Immature dendritic cells (iDCs) were derived from human peripheral blood monocytes, and treated with films of biomaterials commonly used in combination products (e.g., tissue engineered constructs or vaccines) to assess the resultant dendritic cell (DC) maturation compared to positive control of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment for DC maturation or negative control of untreated iDCs. The following biomaterials were tested: alginate, agarose, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, 75:25 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). The effect of DC culture on these films was undertaken to identify biomaterials which support DC maturation and those biomaterials that did not. Dendritic cells treated with chitosan or PLGA (agarose to a lesser extent) films increased expression levels of CD86, CD40, and HLA-DQ, compared to control iDCs, similar to LPS-matured DCs, whereas DCs treated with alginate or hyaluronic acid films decreased their expression levels of these same molecules. In summary, a differential effect of the biomaterial on which iDCs were cultured was observed as far as the extent of induced DC maturation. The effect of biomaterials on DC maturation, and the associated adjuvant effect, is a novel biocompatibility selection and design criteria for biomaterials to be used in combination products in which immune consequences are potential complications or outcomes.