Dendritic cells (DCs) are central regulators of the immune system that operate in both innate and adaptive branches of immunity.  Activation of DCs by factors such as danger signals is well established. Furthermore, it is established that adsorbed adhesive proteins on implanted biomaterials modulate inflammatory responses. However, modulation of DC responses upon interaction with adhesive proteins has only begun to be characterized. We have investigated DC functions (activation marker expression, cytokine production, T-cell stimulation) in response to culture on a number of adhesive proteins. Furthermore, we have utilized a 'universal gradient substrate for click bio-functionalization' as a high-throughput method to investigate the relationship between DC integrin binding and RGD density-dependent responses. This work has impact on the rational design of biomaterials for diverse applications such as tissue-engineered constructs, synthetic particle-based vaccines and the ex vivo culture of DCs for immunotherapies.

Adhesive substrate directed modulation of dendritic cell response

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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