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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Optimized Protocol for Efficient Transfection of Dendritic Cells without Cell Maturation
Published on: July 8, 2011
Recombinant ferritin nanoparticles can induce dendritic cell maturation through TLR4/NF-κB pathway
Zhehui Qu1,2, Yongli Guo3, Mingzhu Li1
1Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
Objective:
Immune response initiation and regulation require activation of dendritic cells (DCs). However, the mechanism by which ferritin, a carrier for immunogen, induces DCs maturation remains unclear.
Results:
Recombinant ferritin nanoparticle (RFNp), were prepared through the baculovirus expression vector system, formed spherical and hollow cage-liked proteins with a diameter of approximately 12.17 ± 0.87 nm. They induced bone marrow-derived DC (BMDC) maturation via surface molecules up-regulation of (MHC II, CD80, CD86 and CD40), increased pro-inflammatory cytokines production (IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), and decreased antigen capturing capacity. They positively regulated IκBα and NF-κB (p65) phosphorylation, and facilitate NF-κB (p65) translocation into mature BMDCs nuclei. Following pre-treatment of RFNp-treated BMDCs with TLR4 and NF-κB (p65) inhibitors, respectively, surface molecule expression, pro-inflammatory cytokines production, and IκBα and NF-κB (p65) activities were suppressed. RFNp-treated BMDCs can also facilitate T-cell proliferation and differentiation into Th1 and Th2.
Conclusion:
RFNps induced DCs maturation lends the potential application of RFNps as carrier platforms in DC-based vaccine.
