Physical transfection technologies for macrophages and dendritic cells in immunotherapy. (1st February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harizaj, Aranit; De Smedt, Stefaan C.; Lentacker, Ine; Braeckmans, Kevin
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on drug delivery. Volume 18:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2021-02-01
• Subjects: Cancer immunotherapy -- innate immunity -- dendritic cells -- macrophages -- cell engineering -- transfection -- electroporation -- sonoporation -- nanowires -- microfluidic cell squeezing -- pDNA -- mRNA -- antigens; Drug delivery devices -- Periodicals; Drug delivery systems -- Periodicals; 615.605
• DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2021.1828340
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5247

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, two important antigen presenting cells (APCs) of the innate immune system, are being explored for the use in cell-based cancer immunotherapy. For this application, the therapeutic potential of patient-derived APCs is increased by delivering different types of functional macromolecules, such as mRNA and pDNA, into their cytosol. Compared to the use of viral and non-viral delivery vectors, physical intracellular delivery techniques are known to be more straightforward, more controllable, faster and generate high delivery efficiencies. Areas covered: This review starts with electroporation as the most traditional physical transfection method, before continuing with the more recent technologies such as sonoporation, nanowires and microfluidic cell squeezing. A description is provided of each of those intracellular delivery technologies with their strengths and weaknesses, especially paying attention to delivery efficiency and safety profile. Expert opinion: Given the common use of electroporation for the production of therapeutic APCs, it is recommended that more detailed studies are performed on the effect of electroporation on APC fitness, even down to the genetic level. Newer intracellular delivery technologies seem to have less impact on APC functionality but further work is needed to fully uncover their suitability to transfect APCs with different types of macromolecules.