Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Cellular Affinity of Particle-Stabilized Emulsion to Boost Antigen Internalization
Published on: September 2, 2022
Cellular Affinity of Particle-Stabilized Emulsion to Boost Antigen Internalization
Fengqiang Cao1, Yali Ming2, Weixiang Gao2
1Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology; Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology; State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
This study introduces flexible poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticle-stabilized Pickering emulsions (PNPEs) that show higher cell affinity and antigen uptake than rigid particles, improving vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cellular affinity of micro-/nanoparticles is crucial for drug delivery and immune responses.
- Existing research often overlooks particle softness and dynamic interface interactions in cellular affinity.
- Rigid particle formulations may have limitations in mimicking biological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticle-stabilized Pickering emulsions (PNPEs) with enhanced cellular affinity.
- To investigate the role of particle softness and dynamic interface interactions in cellular uptake.
- To assess PNPEs as a platform for efficient antigen delivery and vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Developed PNPEs to mimic pathogen flexibility and fluidity.
- Utilized quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) to measure PNPE affinity to bio-mimetic extracellular vesicles (bEVs).
- Employed confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to observe antigen (ovalbumin, OVA) uptake by bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs).
Main Results:
- PNPEs demonstrated rapid adhesion and significantly higher affinity to bEVs compared to PLGA microparticles (PMPs) and surfactant-stabilized nano-emulsions (SSE).
- PNPEs exhibited superior binding to cell membranes than PMPs and SSE.
- Enhanced cellular affinity of PNPEs led to boosted antigen uptake by BMDCs.
Conclusions:
- PNPEs offer improved cell affinity and antigen internalization compared to traditional rigid formulations.
- The dynamic properties of PNPEs contribute to their enhanced interaction with immune cells.
- This study provides a novel platform for designing advanced vaccines with efficient antigen delivery.
