In vitro enhancement of dendritic cell-mediated anti-glioma immune response by graphene oxide
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Published on: May 16, 2022
Wei Wang1, Zhongjun Li2, Jinhong Duan3
1Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing 100044, China ; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China.
Abstract:
Malignant glioma has extremely poor prognosis despite combination treatments with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy may potentially serve as an adjuvant treatment of glioma, but its efficacy generally needs further improvement. Here we explored whether graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets could modulate the DC-mediated anti-glioma immune response in vitro, using the T98G human glioma cell line as the study model. Pulsing DCs with a glioma peptide antigen (Ag) generated a limited anti-glioma response compared to un-pulsed DCs. Pulsing DCs with GO alone failed to produce obvious immune modulation effects. However, stimulating DCs with a mixture of GO and Ag (GO-Ag) significantly enhanced the anti-glioma immune reaction (p < 0.05). The secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) by the lymphocytes was also markedly boosted by GO-Ag. Additionally, the anti-glioma immune response induced by GO-Ag appeared to be target-specific. Furthermore, at the concentration used in this study, GO exhibited a negligible effect on the viability of the DCs. These results suggested that GO might have potential utility for boosting a DC-mediated anti-glioma immune response.
Insights
Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets can enhance dendritic cell (DC)-mediated anti-glioma immune responses. Combining GO with glioma antigens significantly boosted immune reactions and interferon-gamma secretion, showing potential for improving DC-based immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Malignant glioma has a poor prognosis despite standard treatments.
- Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy shows promise for glioma but requires enhanced efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets can modulate DC-mediated anti-glioma immune responses in vitro.
- To assess the impact of GO on DC stimulation with glioma antigens.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the T98G human glioma cell line for in vitro studies.
- Pulsed DCs with glioma peptide antigen (Ag) alone, GO alone, or a mixture of GO and Ag (GO-Ag).
- Assessed immune response modulation, including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secretion and DC viability.
Main Results:
- Pulsing DCs with GO-Ag significantly enhanced the anti-glioma immune response compared to Ag alone (p < 0.05).
- GO-Ag stimulation markedly boosted the secretion of IFN-γ by lymphocytes.
- The anti-glioma immune response induced by GO-Ag was target-specific, and GO showed negligible toxicity to DCs at the tested concentration.
Conclusions:
- Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets show potential utility in enhancing DC-mediated anti-glioma immune responses.
- GO may serve as an effective adjuvant to improve the efficacy of DC-based immunotherapy for glioma.
- Further research is warranted to explore GO's role in cancer immunotherapy.

