Natalie Hantz
Research Mentor: Sayre Tillery
Mentor Department: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Engineering
Author(s): Natalie Hantz, Sayre Tillery, Lonnie Shea
Session: Session 2 (10:00 AM – 10:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 131
Abstract
Food allergies are a major global health issue, and many existing treatments only provide temporary solutions rather than lasting changes in how the immune system responds to allergens. Allergic responses are driven by incorrect immune activation against specific food proteins, which demonstrates the need for therapies that can regulate allergen immune responses. To help address this limitation, the Shea Lab has developed allergen-encapsulated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) nanoparticles (NPs) that are designed to reprogram the immune response. This study examines the modification of NPs using a synthetic lipid coating (SLC) to better mimic apoptotic bodies, which naturally suppress immune responses through signaling molecules such as phosphatidylserine (PS). The allergen-encapsulated NP cores are created through a double emulsion evaporation method. The cores are then coated with a lipid layer composed of DSPC, cholesterol, and PS using probe sonication. Non-coated NPs and SLC NPs are comparable in overall size, allowing for more direct comparison of their effects. The SLC NPs possess similar surface qualities of apoptotic bodies, which are intended to guide the immune system to a more regulated response. The tolerogenic potential of these SLC conformations is evaluated using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). In these experiments, BMDCs are treated with either non-coated or SLC NPs, and then challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce activation. By staining cells for costimulatory markers and analyzing them using flow cytometry, we can evaluate immune activation and cytokine responses. We observed that SLC NPs lowered costimulatory markers compared to non-coated NPs indicating SLC NPs improved tolerogenic effects. This setup makes it possible to assess how different SLC conformations affect dendritic cell activation and immune signaling in a direct manner. By altering the NP conformation to include a synthetic lipid coating, we can more effectively see apoptotic body signaling. Overall, this strategy suggests a path towards longer-lasting regulation of allergic responses, potentially reducing reaction severity without relying on strict, daily treatment options.
