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Enhanced immunostimulatory effects of DNA-encapsulated peptide hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: DNA that encodes tumor-specific antigens represents potential immunostimulatory agents. However, rapid enzymatic degradation and fragmentation of DNA during administration can result in limited vector expression and, consequently, poor efficacy. These challenges have necessitated the use of novel strategies for DNA delivery. Herein, we study the ability of cationic self-assembling peptide hydrogels to encapsulate plasmid DNA, and enhance its immunostimulatory potential in vivo. The effect of network charge on the gel's ability to retain the DNA was assessed employing three gel-forming peptides that vary systematically in formal charge. The peptide HLT2, having a formal charge of +5 at neutral pH, was optimal in encapsulating microgram quantities of DNA with little effect on its rheological properties, allowing its effective syringe delivery in vivo. The plasmid, DNA(TA), encapsulated within these gels encodes for a melanoma-specific gp100 antigen fused to the alarmin protein adjuvant HMGN1. Implantation of DNA(TA)-loaded HLT2 gels into mice resulted in an acute inflammatory response with the presence of polymorphonuclear cells, which was followed by infiltrating macrophages. These cellular infiltrates aid in the processing of encapsulated DNA, promoting increased lymphoproliferation and producing an enhanced immune response mediated by CD4+/IFN?+ expressing Th1 cells, and complemented by the formation of gp100-specific antibodies.

SUBMITTER: Medina SH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7735534 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Enhanced immunostimulatory effects of DNA-encapsulated peptide hydrogels.

Medina Scott H SH Li Sandra S Howard O M Zack OM Dunlap Micah M Trivett Anna A Schneider Joel P JP Oppenheim Joost J JJ

Biomaterials 20150323

DNA that encodes tumor-specific antigens represents potential immunostimulatory agents. However, rapid enzymatic degradation and fragmentation of DNA during administration can result in limited vector expression and, consequently, poor efficacy. These challenges have necessitated the use of novel strategies for DNA delivery. Herein, we study the ability of cationic self-assembling peptide hydrogels to encapsulate plasmid DNA, and enhance its immunostimulatory potential in vivo. The effect of net ...[more]

PMID: 25890750

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Project description:Here we report three new nanofibrous, self-assembling multidomain peptide (MDP) sequences and examine the effect of sequence on the morphology and expansion of encapsulated Stem cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth (SHED). We modified our previously reported set of serine-based MDPs, changing the serine residues in the amphiphilic region to threonine. The three new threonine-based sequences self-assemble into antiparallel ?-sheet nanofibers, confirmed by CD and IR. AFM and negative-stained TEM show that the nanofibers formed by the new sequences are more curved than their serine-containing predecessors. Despite this change in nanofiber morphology, SEM illustrates that all three new sequences still form porous hydrogels. K(TL)2SLRG(TL)3KGRGDS, with a designed cleavage site, is able to be degraded by Matrix Metalloprotease 2. We then examine SHED cell response to these new sequences as well as their serine-based predecessors. We observe faster cell attachment and spreading in hydrogels formed by K2(SL)6K2GRGDS and K(SL)3RG(SL)3KGRGDS. By day 3, the SHEDs in all of the serine-based sequences exhibit a fibroblast-like morphology. Additionally, the SHED cells expand more rapidly in the serine-based gels while the cell number remains relatively constant in the threonine-based peptides. In hydrogels formed by K2(TL)6K2GRGDS and K(TL)2SLRG(TL)3KGRGDS, this low expansion rate is accompanied by changes in morphology where SHEDs exhibit a stellate morphology after 3 days in culture; however, by day 7 they appear more fibroblast-shaped. Throughout the duration of the experiment, the SHED cells encapsulated in the K2(TL)6K2 hydrogels remain rounded. These results suggest that the basic MDP structure easily accommodates modifications in sequence and, for SHED cells, the threonine-containing gels require the integrin-binding RGDS sequence for cell attachment to occur, while the serine-based gels are less selective and support an increase in cell number, regardless of the presence or absence of RGDS.

Dataset Information

Enhanced immunostimulatory effects of DNA-encapsulated peptide hydrogels.

Publications

Enhanced immunostimulatory effects of DNA-encapsulated peptide hydrogels.

Similar Datasets

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