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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
Investigating the Phagocytosis of Leishmania using Confocal Microscopy
Published on: July 29, 2021
PLGA nanoparticles modified with a TNFα mimicking peptide, soluble Leishmania antigens and MPLA induce T cell priming
Maritsa Margaroni1, Maria Agallou2, Katerina Kontonikola3
1Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias av., 11521 Athens, Greece; Department of Animal and Human Physiology, School of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) represent a new approach for vaccine delivery due to their ability to be taken up by phagocytes and to activate immune responses. In the present study PLGA NPs were surface-modified with a TNFα mimicking peptide, and encapsulated soluble Leishmania antigens (sLiAg) and MPLA adjuvant. The synthesized PLGA NPs exhibited low cytotoxicity levels, while surface-modified NPs were more efficiently taken up by dendritic cells (DCs). The prepared nanoformulations induced maturation and functional differentiation of DCs by elevating co-stimulatory molecule levels and stimulating IL-12 and IL-10 production. Sensitized DCs promoted T cell priming, characterized by the development of mixed T cell subsets differentiation expressing Th lineage-specific transcriptional factors and cytokine genes. Moreover, PLGA NPs were biocompatible, while they were located in lymphoid organs and taken up by phagocytic cells. Our results suggest that surface-modified PLGA NPs encapsulating sLiAg and MPLA could be considered as an effective vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis.
