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Poženel P, Zajc K, Švajger U. Factor of time in dendritic cell (DC) maturation: short-term activation of DCs significantly improves type 1 cytokine production and T cell responses. J Transl Med 2024; 22:541. [PMID: 38845003 PMCID: PMC11155046 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05368-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) have been intensively studied in correlation to tumor immunology and for the development DC-based cancer vaccines. Here, we present the significance of the temporal aspect of DC maturation for the most essential subsequent timepoint, namely at interaction with responding T cells or after CD40-Ligand restimulation. Mostly, DC maturation is still being achieved by activation processes which lasts 24 h to 48 h. We hypothesized this amount of time is excessive from a biological standpoint and could be the underlying cause for functional exhaustion. Indeed, shorter maturation periods resulted in extensive capacity of monocyte-derived DCs to produce inflammatory cytokines after re-stimulation with CD40-Ligand. This effect was most evident for the primary type 1 polarizing cytokine, IL-12p70. This capacity reached peak at 6 h and dropped sharply with longer exposure to initial maturation stimuli (up to 48 h). The 6 h maturation protocol reflected superiority in subsequent functionality tests. Namely, DCs displayed twice the allostimulatory capacity of 24 h- and 48 h-matured DCs. Similarly, type 1 T cell response measured by IFN-γ production was 3-fold higher when CD4+ T cells had been stimulated with shortly matured DC and over 8-fold greater in case of CD8+ T cells, compared to longer matured DCs. The extent of melanoma-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cell induction was also greater in case of 6 h DC maturation. The major limitation of the study is that it lacks in vivo evidence, which we aim to examine in the future. Our findings show an unexpectedly significant impact of temporal exposure to activation signals for subsequent DC functionality, which we believe can be readily integrated into existing knowledge on in vitro/ex vivo DC manipulation for various uses. We also believe this has important implications for DC vaccine design for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Primož Poženel
- Slovenian Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Šlajmerjeva 6, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova ulica 2, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Kaja Zajc
- Slovenian Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Šlajmerjeva 6, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Urban Švajger
- Slovenian Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Šlajmerjeva 6, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia.
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia.
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2
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Choi J, Ki CS. Differentiation, maturation, and collection of THP-1-derived dendritic cells based on a PEG hydrogel culture platform. Biotechnol Lett 2024; 46:235-247. [PMID: 38231384 PMCID: PMC10901936 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03457-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dendritic cell (DC) is a spearhead responsible for immune response and surrounded by extracellular matrix in three-dimensional (3D) tissue. Nevertheless, conventional DC culture has relied on suspension or two-dimensional (2D) tissue culture plate (TCP)-based culture system. This culture condition often fails to recapitulate the physiological behavior of DC in real tissue. In this work, the effect of culture condition on DC physiology was explored with varying 3D hydrogel property (i.e., degradability, adhesion, and stiffness). In particular, DC differentiation and maturation in 3D were evaluated comparing the conventional TCP-based culture condition. METHOD THP-1 cells were encapsulated in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel via thiol-ene photocrosslinking with non-degradable or proteolytically degradable peptide crosslinker. Hydrogel stiffness was manipulated by controlling the concentration of crosslinker. The metabolic activities and cytotoxicity of the encapsulated cells were measured by resazurin and Live/Dead assays, respectively. Cell harvesting was conducted via enzymatic degradation using α-chymotrypsin, and differentiation and maturation of the liberated DCs were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. RESULTS THP-1 cells well proliferated in the soft degradable hydrogel with a higher metabolic activity. However, the stiff matrix inhibited cell growth in 3D. The gene expression assay indicated that the 3D hydrogel condition was superior to 2D culture in terms of differentiation and maturation of DC. Interestingly, the stiffness of matrix was important factor in DC function. In the stiff hydrogel, the expression levels of differentiation and maturation markers were higher compared to the low stiffness hydrogel. The mature DCs caged in the hydrogel matrix were harvested after short enzymatic digestion of hydrogel and the liberated cells had over 90% viability. The flow cytometric result revealed that the proportion of CD80 + /CD86 + cells from the stiff hydrogel was relatively higher than cells either from 2D or soft hydrogel in 3D. CONCLUSION The collected evidence indicated that the proteolytically degradable PEG hydrogel matrix promoted DC differentiation and maturation. In addition, the matrix stiffness control could manipulate the marker expressions of differentiation and maturation. Particularly, the mature DC was successfully collected from the hydrogel matrix. These results highlighted the PEG hydrogel-based DC culture might be a useful tool for potential DC-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeho Choi
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Seok Ki
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Song T, Choi Y, Jeon JH, Cho YK. A machine learning approach to discover migration modes and transition dynamics of heterogeneous dendritic cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1129600. [PMID: 37081879 PMCID: PMC10110959 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1129600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) migration is crucial for mounting immune responses. Immature DCs (imDCs) reportedly sense infections, while mature DCs (mDCs) move quickly to lymph nodes to deliver antigens to T cells. However, their highly heterogeneous and complex innate motility remains elusive. Here, we used an unsupervised machine learning (ML) approach to analyze long-term, two-dimensional migration trajectories of Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF)-derived bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs). We discovered three migratory modes independent of the cell state: slow-diffusive (SD), slow-persistent (SP), and fast-persistent (FP). Remarkably, imDCs more frequently changed their modes, predominantly following a unicyclic SD→FP→SP→SD transition, whereas mDCs showed no transition directionality. We report that DC migration exhibits a history-dependent mode transition and maturation-dependent motility changes are emergent properties of the dynamic switching of the three migratory modes. Our ML-based investigation provides new insights into studying complex cellular migratory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taegeun Song
- Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Department of Data information and Physics, Kongju National University, Gongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjun Choi
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hyung Jeon
- Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP), Pohang, Republic of Korea
- *Correspondence: Jae-Hyung Jeon, ; Yoon-Kyoung Cho,
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
- *Correspondence: Jae-Hyung Jeon, ; Yoon-Kyoung Cho,
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4
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Young Chung J, Thone MN, Davies JE, Gach JS, Huw Davies D, Forthal DN, Kwon YJ. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 using extracellular blebs derived from spike protein-expressing dendritic cells. Cell Immunol 2023; 386:104691. [PMID: 36822152 PMCID: PMC9933546 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide but also accelerated the clinical use of emerging vaccine formulations. To address the current shortcomings in the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection, this study developed a novel vaccine platform that closely mimics dendritic cells (DCs) in antigen presentation and T-cell stimulation in a cell-free and tunable manner. Genetically engineered DCs that express the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) were chemically converted into extracellular blebs (EBs). The resulting EBs elicited potentially protective humoral immunity in vivo, indicated by the production of antibodies that potently neutralized S-pseudotyped virus, presenting EBs as a promising and safe vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Young Chung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Melissa N. Thone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Jenny E. Davies
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Johannes S. Gach
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - D. Huw Davies
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Donald N. Forthal
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Young Jik Kwon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
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Wu C, Teng L, Wang C, Qian T, Hu Z, Zeng Z. Engineering Hydrogels for Modulation of Dendritic Cell Function. Gels 2023; 9:116. [PMID: 36826287 PMCID: PMC9957133 DOI: 10.3390/gels9020116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent antigen-presenting cells, are necessary for the effective activation of naïve T cells. DCs encounter numerous microenvironments with different biophysical properties, such as stiffness and viscoelasticity. Considering the emerging importance of mechanical cues for DC function, it is essential to understand the impacts of these cues on DC function in a physiological or pathological context. Engineered hydrogels have gained interest for the exploration of the impacts of biophysical matrix cues on DC functions, owing to their extracellular-matrix-mimetic properties, such as high water content, a sponge-like pore structure, and tunable mechanical properties. In this review, the introduction of gelation mechanisms of hydrogels is first summarized. Then, recent advances in the substantial effects of developing hydrogels on DC function are highlighted, and the potential molecular mechanisms are subsequently discussed. Finally, persisting questions and future perspectives are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuifang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering in University of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering (School of Modern Industry for Health and Medicine), Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center in University of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Lijing Teng
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering in University of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering (School of Modern Industry for Health and Medicine), Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center in University of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Caiyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering in University of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering (School of Modern Industry for Health and Medicine), Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Tianbao Qian
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering in University of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering (School of Modern Industry for Health and Medicine), Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center in University of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zuquan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering in University of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering (School of Modern Industry for Health and Medicine), Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center in University of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zhu Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering in University of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering (School of Modern Industry for Health and Medicine), Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center in University of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
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Zhang D, Li X, Jing B, Chen Z, Shi H, Zheng Y, Chang S, Sun J, Zhao G. α-Asarone attenuates chronic sciatica by inhibiting peripheral sensitization and promoting neural repair. Phytother Res 2023; 37:151-162. [PMID: 36070878 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the therapeutic effect of α-asarone on chronic sciatica. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups: the sham group, chronic constriction injury (CCI) group, pregabalin group, and α-asarone group. Hot hyperalgesia was induced after the CCI operation, and α-asarone was found to relieve chronic neuralgia. Furthermore, α-asarone reduced IL1β, IL6, TNF-α, CRP, and LPS levels and increased IL10 levels in serum. α-Asarone decreased the protein levels of TRPA1, TRPM8, and TRPV1-4 and the mRNA levels of TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPV1-4, IL1β, and TNF-α in dorsal root ganglion neurons. In the sciatic nerve, α-asarone treatment reduced the number of inflammatory cells and promoted the proliferation of Schwann cells, favouring recovery of the nerve structure. In cellular experiments, LPS induced Schwann cell apoptosis via TLR4/p38MAPK signalling; α-asarone attenuated LPS-induced Schwann cell apoptosis by decreasing TLR4, p-p38MAPK, cleaved-caspase3, and cleaved-caspase7 levels and increasing Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression. Overall, these findings suggest that α-asarone relieves chronic sciatica by decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors, inhibiting peripheral sensitization, and favouring the repair of damaged nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bei Jing
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenni Chen
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huimei Shi
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yachun Zheng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiquan Chang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxin Sun
- Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoping Zhao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Rodríguez-Fernández JL, Criado-García O. A meta-analysis indicates that the regulation of cell motility is a non-intrinsic function of chemoattractant receptors that is governed independently of directional sensing. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1001086. [PMID: 36341452 PMCID: PMC9630654 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1001086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoattraction, defined as the migration of a cell toward a source of a chemical gradient, is controlled by chemoattractant receptors. Chemoattraction involves two basic activities, namely, directional sensing, a molecular mechanism that detects the direction of a source of chemoattractant, and actin-based motility, which allows the migration of a cell towards it. Current models assume first, that chemoattractant receptors govern both directional sensing and motility (most commonly inducing an increase in the migratory speed of the cells, i.e. chemokinesis), and, second, that the signaling pathways controlling both activities are intertwined. We performed a meta-analysis to reassess these two points. From this study emerge two main findings. First, although many chemoattractant receptors govern directional sensing, there are also receptors that do not regulate cell motility, suggesting that is the ability to control directional sensing, not motility, that best defines a chemoattractant receptor. Second, multiple experimental data suggest that receptor-controlled directional sensing and motility can be controlled independently. We hypothesize that this independence may be based on the existence of separated signalling modules that selectively govern directional sensing and motility in chemotactic cells. Together, the information gathered can be useful to update current models representing the signalling from chemoattractant receptors. The new models may facilitate the development of strategies for a more effective pharmacological modulation of chemoattractant receptor-controlled chemoattraction in health and disease.
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Shahverdi M, Masoumi J, Ghorbaninezhad F, Shajari N, Hajizadeh F, Hassanian H, Alizadeh N, Jafarlou M, Baradaran B. The modulatory role of dendritic cell-T cell cross-talk in breast cancer: Challenges and prospects. Adv Med Sci 2022; 67:353-363. [PMID: 36116207 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antigen recognition and presentation are highlighted as the first steps in developing specialized antigen responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are outstanding professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) responsible for priming cellular immunity in pathological states, including cancer. However, the diminished or repressed function of DCs is thought to be a substantial mechanism through which tumors escape from the immune system. In this regard, DCs obtained from breast cancer (BC) patients represent a notably weakened potency to encourage specific T-cell responses. Additionally, impaired DC-T-cell cross-talk in BC facilitates the immune evade of cancer cells and is connected with tumor advancement, immune tolerance, and adverse prognosis for patients. In this review we aim to highlight the available knowledge on DC-T-cell interactions in BC aggressiveness and show its therapeutic potential in BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Shahverdi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Javad Masoumi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farid Ghorbaninezhad
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Neda Shajari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farnaz Hajizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Hassanian
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Alizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Jafarlou
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Choi Y, Kwon JE, Cho YK. Dendritic Cell Migration Is Tuned by Mechanical Stiffness of the Confining Space. Cells 2021; 10:3362. [PMID: 34943870 PMCID: PMC8699733 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The coordination of cell migration of immune cells is a critical aspect of the immune response to pathogens. Dendritic cells (DCs), the sentinels of the immune system, are exposed to complex tissue microenvironments with a wide range of stiffnesses. Recent studies have revealed the importance of mechanical cues in immune cell trafficking in confined 3D environments. However, the mechanism by which stiffness modulates the intrinsic motility of immature DCs remains poorly understood. Here, immature DCs were found to navigate confined spaces in a rapid and persistent manner, surveying a wide range when covered with compliant gels mimicking soft tissues. However, the speed and persistence time of random motility were both decreased by confinement in gels with higher stiffness, mimicking skin or diseased, fibrotic tissue. The impact of stiffness of surrounding tissue is crucial because most in vitro studies to date have been based on cellular locomotion when confined by microfabricated polydimethylsiloxane structures. Our study provides evidence for a role for environmental mechanical stiffness in the surveillance strategy of immature DCs in tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea;
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Korea
| | - Jae-Eun Kwon
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea;
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Korea;
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Korea
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