title: Functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles trigger human dendritic cell maturation resulting in enhanced CD4+ T cell activation.
abstract: Nanoparticles (NP) represent a promising tool for biomedical applications. Here, sulfonate- and phosphonate-functionalized polystyrene NP are analyzed for their interaction with human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC). Immature dendritic cells (iDC) display a higher time- and dose-dependent uptake of functionalized polystyrene NP compared to mature dendritic cells (mDC). Notably, NP induce an enhanced maturation of iDC but not of mDC (upregulation of stimulatory molecules and cytokines). NP-triggered maturation results in a significantly enhanced T cell stimulatory capacity (increased CD4(+)  T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production), indicating a shift to a pronounced Th1 response. Immunomodulatory properties of NP may be a useful strategy for strengthening the efficacy of NP-based approaches in immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Frick
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bacher
authors.forename: Grit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mailänder
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Landfester
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steinbrink
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D063065:Organophosphonates; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013451:Sulfonic Acids
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D063065:Organophosphonates; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D007371:Interferon-gamma