Antigen recognition-triggered drug delivery mediated by nanocapsule-functionalized cytotoxic T-cells

Publication date: February 2017
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 117
Author(s): R. Brad Jones, Stephanie Mueller, Sudha Kumari, Vlad Vrbanac, Shy Genel, Andrew M. Tager, Todd M. Allen, Bruce D. Walker, Darrell J. Irvine
Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes (CTLs) kill pathogen-infected or transformed cells following interaction of their T-cell receptors (TCRs) with foreign (e.g. virus-derived) peptides bound to MHC-I molecules on the target cell. TCR binding triggers CTLs to secrete perforin, which forms pores in the target cell membrane, promoting target death. Here, we show that by conjugating drug-loaded lipid nanoparticles to the surface of CTLs, their lytic machinery can be co-opted to lyse the cell-bound drug carrier, providing triggered release of drug cargo upon target cell recognition. Protein encapsulated in T-cell-bound nanoparticles was released following culture of CTLs with target cells in an antigen dose- and perforin-dependent manner and coincided with target cell lysis. Using this approach, we demonstrate the capacity of HIV-specific CTLs to deliver an immunotherapeutic agent to an anatomical site of viral replication. This strategy provides a novel means to couple drug delivery to the action of therapeutic cells in vivo.



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