Cellular uptake of polylactide particles induces size dependent cytoskeletal remodeling in antigen presenting cells

Phagocytosis of particulate vaccine delivery systems is a critical immune mechanism involved in antigen capture and processing by macrophages and dendritic cells. The internalization and degradation of the particles involve a complex sequence of events. This process coordinates lipids, signaling proteins, and the cytoskeleton. Dynamic changes in the actin cytoskeleton are essential for phagocytosis and antigen presentation. Knowledge regarding the correlation of surface properties, attached ligand density and geometric size of particles with the efficiency of phagocytosis may facilitate their design and application. To investigate this, polylactide biodegradable particles with different diameters (2-4 μm and 200-300 nm) were exposed to murine macrophages and dendritic cells and the effect of size on a series of cellular responses was evaluated. Cellular uptake studies using microscopy and flow cytometry showed size dependent internalization of particles, with nanoparticles accumulating in cells at a faster rate. The particles induced homoaggregation of cells and also showed cytoskeletal remodeling that could be inhibited by cytochalasin-D. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the time dependent formation of phagocytic cups and invaginations that promote particle uptake. The particles were observed to co-localized with the endo-lysosomal compartments after phagocyotosis. In our experiments, particle mediated immunoactivation, antigen processing and cytokine secretion have shown a good correlation with the uptake process. These findings would allow a better understanding of the process of particle uptake and may be instrumental in the rational design of optimal vaccine delivery systems.