Dendritic cell nodes
The present invention features dendritic cell nodes that can be used to vaccinate subjects against pathogens and to modulate a subject's immune system to treat or prevent various diseases and conditions.
1 . A dendritic cell node comprising:
a) a biocompatible scaffold material;
b) a chemokine for attracting immature dendritic cells;
c) a chosen antigen; and
d) a maturation signal for dendritic cells.
2 - 25 . (canceled)
26 . A method of constructing a dendritic cell node comprising:
a) depositing, onto a substrate, a layer for attracting monocytes into the dendritic cell node;
b) depositing, onto layer (a), a layer for inducing differentiation of the monocytes into immature dendritic cells;
c) depositing, onto layer (b), a layer for presenting a chosen antigen to immature dendritic cells;
d) depositing, onto layer (c), a layer for attracting dendritic cells and inducing maturation of dendritic cells, thereby constructing a dendritic cell node.
27 . (canceled)
28 . A method of constructing a dendritic cell node comprising:
a) depositing, onto a substrate, a layer for attracting immature dendritic cells into the dendritic cell node;
b) depositing, onto layer (a), a layer for presenting a chosen antigen to the immature dendritic cells; and
c) depositing, onto layer (b), a layer for attracting immature dendritic cells and inducing maturation of the immature dendritic cells; or
d) depositing, onto a substrate, a layer for attracting immature dendritic cells and inducing maturation of the immature dendritic cells;
e) depositing, onto layer (d), a layer for presenting a chosen antigen to the immature dendritic cells; and
f) depositing, onto layer (e), a layer for attracting immature dendritic cells into the dendritic cell node, thereby constructing an dendritic cell node.
29 - 47 . (canceled)