Biomaterial Effects on Dendritic Cells (DCs)
The central role of DCs as gatekeepers to the initiation of immune responses renders the temporal control of their phenotype particularly important in situations where immune responses are harnessed in combination products. Using an integral component of these devices, the biomaterial, to direct the host response, is a powerful, non-pharmacological means of controlling immune responses for device integration. By understanding the biomaterial molecular controls of DC phenotype, Dr. Babensee envisions the design of biomaterials that can direct immunological outcomes.
Biomaterial-based delivery of DCs for Immunomodulation
Overcoming immunological barriers is central to treating autoimmune diseases and supporting islet transplantation for treatment of diabetes. Central to achieving this is a need to control the balance of pro-inflammatory and tolerogenic immune states. Furthermore, antigen specificity is a goal in suppression of auto-/allo-reactive T cells and induction of Tregs. DCs express a spectrum of phenotypic states from pro-inflammatory to tolerogenic in response to microenvironment stimuli making them useful in determining immunological outcomes. To extend her previous developments, Dr. Babensee is pursuing immunomodulatory biomaterial-based strategies for control of DC phenotype and/or their delivery for therapeutic purposes. Two approaches are being taken: 1) DC phenotype is pre-programmed in culture to be immunosuppressive and antigen-specific prior to their delivery within an injectable PEG hydrogel and 2) in situ education of recruited DC precursors using controlled release of immunomodulators and antigen from an implanted multifunctional immunomodulatory (MI) biomaterial construct. These complementary approaches are being tested for amelioration of autoimmune diseases [e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) or type 1 diabetes] and for immune acceptance of allogeneic islets for diabetes treatment.