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Published on: September 2, 2022
Efficient delivery of antigen to DCs using yeast-derived microparticles
Ying Pan1, Xiaopeng Li1, Tianyi Kang1
1State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Some pathogens can be naturally recognized and internalized by antigen presentation cells (APCs) in vivo, providing a platform for efficient vaccine delivery. However, the biosafety concerns discourage the clinical applications of live pathogens. Here, yeast-derived microparticles were prepared for cancer vaccine delivery. By chemical treatment of bread yeast, capsular yeast shell (YS) microparticles were obtained. Ovalbumin (OVA), as a model antigen, was conjugated to the surface of YS. Results indicated that these YS microparticles with a uniform size of ~3.4 μm can be recognized and internalized by dendritic cells (DCs). The YS-mediated antigen delivery can enhance the cellular uptake of antigen by DCs, promote the maturation of DCs, and trigger DCs to release immune co-stimulatory molecules. Immunization with YS-mediated antigen can induce an effective immune response against tumor cells in vivo, with contributions from both humoral and cellular immunity. This work suggests that yeast shell microparticles as efficient vaccine delivery system has promising applications in cancer immunotherapy.
Insights
Yeast shell microparticles offer a safe alternative for cancer vaccine delivery. These microparticles enhance antigen uptake by immune cells, promoting a robust anti-tumor response for effective cancer immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) naturally internalize pathogens for vaccine delivery.
- Live pathogen vaccines face biosafety concerns, limiting clinical use.
- Developing safe and effective vaccine delivery systems is crucial for cancer immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate yeast shell (YS) microparticles as a novel vaccine delivery system for cancer immunotherapy.
- To investigate the potential of YS microparticles in enhancing antigen presentation and triggering anti-tumor immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Bread yeast was chemically treated to create capsular yeast shell (YS) microparticles (~3.4 μm).
- Ovalbumin (OVA) was conjugated to the YS microparticle surface as a model antigen.
- Interaction of YS-OVA microparticles with dendritic cells (DCs) was assessed, including cellular uptake and DC maturation markers.
- In vivo immunization studies were conducted to evaluate the anti-tumor immune response.
Main Results:
- YS microparticles were successfully prepared and shown to be recognized and internalized by dendritic cells (DCs).
- YS-mediated antigen delivery enhanced antigen uptake by DCs, promoted DC maturation, and stimulated the release of immune co-stimulatory molecules.
- Immunization with YS-mediated antigen induced significant humoral and cellular immune responses against tumor cells in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Yeast shell microparticles serve as an efficient and safe platform for vaccine delivery.
- YS microparticles show promise for enhancing anti-tumor immunity in cancer immunotherapy.
- This approach offers a viable alternative to live pathogen-based vaccines.
