1 research outputs found
IL-10-Functionalized Hydrogels Support Immunosuppressive Dendritic Cell Phenotype and Function
Biomaterial systems such as hydrogels
enable localized delivery
and postinjection modulation of cellular therapies in a wide array
of contexts. Biomaterials as adjuvants have been an active area of
investigation, but the study of functionalized biomaterials supporting
immunosuppressive cell therapies for tolerogenic applications is still
nascent. Here, we developed a 4-arm poly(ethylene-glycol)-maleimide
(PEG-4MAL) hydrogel functionalized with interleukin-10 (IL-10) to
improve the local delivery and efficacy of a cell therapy against
autoimmune disease. The biophysical and biochemical properties of
PEG-4MAL hydrogels were optimized to support dendritic cell (DC) viability
and an immature phenotype. IL-10-functionalized PEG-4MAL (PEG-IL10)
hydrogels exhibited controlled IL-10 release, extended the duration
of DC support, and protected DCs from inflammatory assault. After
incorporation in PEG-IL10 hydrogels, these DCs induced CD25+FoxP3+
regulatory T cells (Tregs) during in vitro coculture.
These studies serve as a proof-of-concept for improving the efficacy
of immunosuppressive cell therapies through biomaterial delivery.
The flexible nature of this system enables its widespread application
across a breadth of other tolerogenic applications for future investigation