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Cell Labeling and Targeting with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Published on: October 19, 2015
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Human T cells loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles retain antigen-specific TCR functionality.
Felix Pfister1, Jan Dörrie2, Niels Schaft2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung Professorship, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
Frontiers in Immunology
|September 4, 2023
Summary
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) can be loaded onto human T cells without affecting their mechanics or functionality. This enables magnetically targeted adoptive T cell therapy for solid tumors.
Area of Science:
- Immunotherapy
- Cellular mechanics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Adoptive T cell transfer is effective for hematological cancers but limited for solid tumors due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and poor T cell trafficking.
- Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) offer a method for magnetically controlling and enriching cells at specific sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of SPION-loading on primary human T cells for magnetically targeted adoptive T cell therapy.
- To assess the effects of SPIONs on T cell mechanics and antigen-specific responses.
Main Methods:
- Human T cells were loaded with SPIONs.
- Cellular mechanics were analyzed by assessing deformability.
- T cell responses were evaluated after stimulation via endogenous or exogenous T cell receptors (TCRs) specific for melanoma or cytomegalovirus antigens.
- Proliferation, activation marker expression, cytokine secretion, and tumor cell killing were compared between SPION-loaded and control T cells.
Main Results:
- SPION-loading did not alter the cellular mechanics or deformability of human T cells.
- SPION-loaded T cells maintained their proliferation, activation marker expression, and cytokine secretion.
- Antigen-specific tumor cell killing mediated by both endogenous and exogenous TCRs was not impaired by SPION-loading.
Conclusions:
- SPION-loading is a viable method for preparing T cells for magnetically targeted therapy.
- SPIONs do not compromise T cell function, paving the way for enhanced delivery to solid tumors.

