title: Effect of the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) density on the access and uptake of particles by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) after subcutaneous administration.
abstract: Lymphatic trafficking of particles to the secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes, and the cell types that particles access are critical factors that control the quality and quantity of immune responses. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PEGylation on the lymphatic trafficking and accumulation of particles in draining lymph nodes (dLNs) as well as the cell types that internalized particles. As a model system, 200 nm polystyrene (PS) particles were modified with different densities of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and administered subcutaneously to mice. PEGylation enhanced the efficiency of particle drainage away from the injection site as well as the access of particles to dendritic cells (DCs). The accumulation of particles in dLNs was dependent on the PEG density. PEGylation also enhanced uptake by DCs while reducing internalization by B cells at the single cell level. Our results indicate that PEGylation facilitated the trafficking of particles to dLNs either through enhanced trafficking in lymphatic vessels or by enhanced internalization by migratory DCs. This study provides insight into utilizing PEGylated particles for the development of synthetic vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Campus Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Kenny K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011137:Polystyrenes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols