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Chua CYX, Viswanath DI, Huston DP, Grattoni A. Engineering platforms for localized long-acting immune modulation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:572-575. [PMID: 38253261 PMCID: PMC10939746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.01.004] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Systemic immunotherapeutics have been a clinical staple in the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, organ and cell transplantation, autoimmunity, and allergies. Although their utility remains unquestioned, systemic administration of these drugs is associated with limited efficacy, significant adverse off-target effects, transient activity, and the requirement for frequent repeated dosing. To this end, recent technological advancements have provided novel means for sustained drug delivery to specific tissues and targeted localized approaches for immunotherapeutics. In this article, we present various cutting-edge platform technologies, including implants, multireservoir systems, and scaffolds encapsulating immunomodulatory agents for local administration. Examples of their application in cancer, cell transplantation, allergy, and infectious diseases are discussed, highlighting the potential of such systems for innovative immunomodulatory intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dixita Ishani Viswanath
- New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - David P Huston
- Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan and Houston, Tex; Immunology Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Tex
| | - Alessandro Grattoni
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Tex; Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Tex; Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Tex.
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2
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Capuani S, Campa-Carranza JN, Hernandez N, Chua CYX, Grattoni A. Modeling of a Bioengineered Immunomodulating Microenvironment for Cell Therapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2304003. [PMID: 38215451 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Cell delivery and encapsulation platforms are under development for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes among other diseases. For effective cell engraftment, these platforms require establishing an immune-protected microenvironment as well as adequate vascularization and oxygen supply to meet the metabolic demands of the therapeutic cells. Current platforms rely on 1) immune isolating barriers and indirect vascularization or 2) direct vascularization with local or systemic delivery of immune modulatory molecules. Supported by experimental data, here a broadly applicable predictive computational model capable of recapitulating both encapsulation strategies is developed. The model is employed to comparatively study the oxygen concentration at different levels of vascularization, transplanted cell density, and spatial distribution, as well as with codelivered adjuvant cells. The model is then validated to be predictive of experimental results of oxygen pressure and local and systemic drug biodistribution in a direct vascularization device with local immunosuppressant delivery. The model highlights that dense vascularization can minimize cell hypoxia while allowing for high cell loading density. In contrast, lower levels of vascularization allow for better drug localization reducing systemic dissemination. Overall, it is shown that this model can serve as a valuable tool for the development and optimization of platform technologies for cell encapsulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Capuani
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Science (UCAS), Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jocelyn Nikita Campa-Carranza
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL, 64710, Mexico
| | - Nathanael Hernandez
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Corrine Ying Xuan Chua
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Alessandro Grattoni
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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Abbaszadeh S, Nosrati-Siahmazgi V, Musaie K, Rezaei S, Qahremani M, Xiao B, Santos HA, Shahbazi MA. Emerging strategies to bypass transplant rejection via biomaterial-assisted immunoengineering: Insights from islets and beyond. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 200:115050. [PMID: 37549847 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Novel transplantation techniques are currently under development to preserve the function of impaired tissues or organs. While current technologies can enhance the survival of recipients, they have remained elusive to date due to graft rejection by undesired in vivo immune responses despite systemic prescription of immunosuppressants. The need for life-long immunomodulation and serious adverse effects of current medicines, the development of novel biomaterial-based immunoengineering strategies has attracted much attention lately. Immunomodulatory 3D platforms can alter immune responses locally and/or prevent transplant rejection through the protection of the graft from the attack of immune system. These new approaches aim to overcome the complexity of the long-term administration of systemic immunosuppressants, including the risks of infection, cancer incidence, and systemic toxicity. In addition, they can decrease the effective dose of the delivered drugs via direct delivery at the transplantation site. In this review, we comprehensively address the immune rejection mechanisms, followed by recent developments in biomaterial-based immunoengineering strategies to prolong transplant survival. We also compare the efficacy and safety of these new platforms with conventional agents. Finally, challenges and barriers for the clinical translation of the biomaterial-based immunoengineering transplants and prospects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samin Abbaszadeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Vahideh Nosrati-Siahmazgi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Science, 45139-56184 Zanjan, Iran
| | - Kiyan Musaie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Saman Rezaei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Science, 45139-56184 Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mostafa Qahremani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Science, 45139-56184 Zanjan, Iran
| | - Bo Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715 China.
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, Netherlands; Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, Netherlands; W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Chua CYX, Jiang AY, Eufrásio-da-Silva T, Dolatshahi-Pirouz A, Langer R, Orive G, Grattoni A. Emerging immunomodulatory strategies for cell therapeutics. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:358-373. [PMID: 36549959 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cellular therapies are poised to transform the field of medicine by restoring dysfunctional tissues and treating various diseases in a dynamic manner not achievable by conventional pharmaceutics. Spanning various therapeutic areas inclusive of cancer, regenerative medicine, and immune disorders, cellular therapies comprise stem or non-stem cells derived from various sources. Despite numerous clinical approvals or trials underway, the host immune response presents a critical impediment to the widespread adoption and success of cellular therapies. Here, we review current research and clinical advances in immunomodulatory strategies to mitigate immune rejection or promote immune tolerance to cellular therapies. We discuss the potential of these immunomodulatory interventions to accelerate translation or maximize the prospects of improving therapeutic outcomes of cellular therapies for clinical success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrine Ying Xuan Chua
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Allen Yujie Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Robert Langer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Av Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; University Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Oral Implantology-UIRMI (UPV/EHU-Fundación Eduardo Anitua), 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road, Discovery Tower, Singapore 169856, Singapore.
| | - Alessandro Grattoni
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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5
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Cheng P, Jian Q, Fu Z, Deng R, Ma Y. Inhibition of DAI refrains dendritic cells from maturation and prolongs murine islet and skin allograft survival. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1182851. [PMID: 37197662 PMCID: PMC10183602 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1182851] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Central to allograft rejection is the T cell-mediated adaptive immune response initiated by activated dendritic cells (DCs). Previous studies have shown that the DNA-dependent activator of IFN regulatory factors (DAI) is involved in the maturation and activation of DCs. Therefore, we hypothesized that inhibition of DAI could prevent DCs from maturation and prolong murine allograft survival. Methods Donor mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were transduced with the recombinant adenovirus vector (AdV-DAI-RNAi-GFP) to inhibit DAI expression (DC-DAI-RNAi), and the immune cell phenotype and function of DC-DAI-RNAi upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation were evaluated. Then DC-DAI-RNAi was injected into recipient mice before islet transplantation and skin transplantation. The survival times of islet and skin allograft were recorded and the proportions of T cell subsets in spleen and secretion levels of cytokines in serum were measured. Results We identified that DC-DAI-RNAi inhibited the expression of main co-stimulatory molecules and MHC-II, exhibited strong phagocytic ability, and secreted high levels of immunosuppressive cytokines and low levels of immunostimulating cytokines. Recipient mice treated with DC-DAI-RNAi had longer islet and skin allograft survival times. In the murine islet transplantation model, we observed an increase in Treg cells proportion, a reduction in Th1 and Th17 cells proportions in spleen, and similar trends in their secreted cytokines in serum in the DC-DAI-RNAi group. Conclusion Inhibition of DAI by adenovirus transduction inhibits the maturation and activation of DCs, affects the differentiation of T cell subsets as well as their secreted cytokines, and prolongs allograft survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengrui Cheng
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Jian
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongli Fu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ronghai Deng
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ronghai Deng, ; Yi Ma,
| | - Yi Ma
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ronghai Deng, ; Yi Ma,
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Paez-Mayorga J, Campa-Carranza JN, Capuani S, Hernandez N, Liu HC, Chua CYX, Pons-Faudoa FP, Malgir G, Alvarez B, Niles JA, Argueta LB, Shelton KA, Kezar S, Nehete PN, Berman DM, Willman MA, Li XC, Ricordi C, Nichols JE, Gaber AO, Kenyon NS, Grattoni A. Implantable niche with local immunosuppression for islet allotransplantation achieves type 1 diabetes reversal in rats. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7951. [PMID: 36572684 PMCID: PMC9792517 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35629-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic islet transplantation efficacy for type 1 diabetes (T1D) management is limited by hypoxia-related graft attrition and need for systemic immunosuppression. To overcome these challenges, we developed the Neovascularized Implantable Cell Homing and Encapsulation (NICHE) device, which integrates direct vascularization for facile mass transfer and localized immunosuppressant delivery for islet rejection prophylaxis. Here, we investigated NICHE efficacy for allogeneic islet transplantation and long-term diabetes reversal in an immunocompetent, male rat model. We demonstrated that allogeneic islets transplanted within pre-vascularized NICHE were engrafted, revascularized, and functional, reverting diabetes in rats for over 150 days. Notably, we confirmed that localized immunosuppression prevented islet rejection without inducing toxicity or systemic immunosuppression. Moreover, for translatability efforts, we showed NICHE biocompatibility and feasibility of deployment as well as short-term allogeneic islet engraftment in an MHC-mismatched nonhuman primate model. In sum, the NICHE holds promise as a viable approach for safe and effective islet transplantation and long-term T1D management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Paez-Mayorga
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA ,grid.419886.a0000 0001 2203 4701School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL Mexico
| | - Jocelyn Nikita Campa-Carranza
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA ,grid.419886.a0000 0001 2203 4701School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL Mexico
| | - Simone Capuani
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Shijingshan, Beijing, China
| | - Nathanael Hernandez
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Hsuan-Chen Liu
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Corrine Ying Xuan Chua
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Fernanda Paola Pons-Faudoa
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Gulsah Malgir
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Bella Alvarez
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA ,grid.419886.a0000 0001 2203 4701School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL Mexico
| | - Jean A. Niles
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Center for Tissue Engineering, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Lissenya B. Argueta
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Center for Tissue Engineering, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Kathryn A. Shelton
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Comparative Medicine, Michael E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX USA
| | - Sarah Kezar
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Comparative Medicine, Michael E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX USA
| | - Pramod N. Nehete
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Comparative Medicine, Michael E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX USA ,grid.267308.80000 0000 9206 2401The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX USA
| | - Dora M. Berman
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA
| | - Melissa A. Willman
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA
| | - Xian C. Li
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Camillo Ricordi
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA
| | - Joan E. Nichols
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Center for Tissue Engineering, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA ,grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - A. Osama Gaber
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Norma S. Kenyon
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA
| | - Alessandro Grattoni
- grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA ,grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA ,grid.63368.380000 0004 0445 0041Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX USA
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Localization of drug biodistribution in a 3D-bioengineered subcutaneous neovascularized microenvironment. Mater Today Bio 2022; 16:100390. [PMID: 36033374 PMCID: PMC9403502 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Local immunomodulation has shown the potential to control the immune response in a site-specific manner for wound healing, cancer, allergy, and cell transplantation, thus abrogating adverse effects associated with systemic administration of immunotherapeutics. Localized immunomodulation requires confining the biodistribution of immunotherapeutics on-site for maximal immune control and minimal systemic drug exposure. To this end, we developed a 3D-printed subcutaneous implant termed 'NICHE', consisting of a bioengineered vascularized microenvironment enabled by sustained drug delivery on-site. The NICHE was designed as a platform technology for investigating local immunomodulation in the context of cell therapeutics and cancer vaccines. Here we studied the ability of the NICHE to localize the PK and biodistribution of different model immunomodulatory agents in vivo. For this, we first performed a mechanistic evaluation of the microenvironment generated within and surrounding the NICHE, with emphasis on the parameters related to molecular transport. Second, we longitudinally studied the biodistribution of ovalbumin, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4-Ig (CTLA4Ig), and IgG delivered locally via NICHE over 30 days. Third, we used our findings to develop a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model. Despite dense and mature vascularization within and surrounding the NICHE, we showed sustained orders of magnitude higher molecular drug concentrations within its microenvironment as compared to systemic circulation and major organs. Further, the PBPK model was able to recapitulate the biodistribution of the 3 molecules with high accuracy (r > 0.98). Overall, the NICHE and the PBPK model represent an adaptable platform for the investigation of local immunomodulation strategies for a wide range of biomedical applications.
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