Continuous cell programming devices
The present invention comprises compositions, methods, and devices for creating an infection-mimicking environment within a polymer scaffold to stimulate antigen-specific dendritic cell activation. Devices of the present invention are used to provide protective immunity to subjects against infection and cancer.
1. A device comprising
a scaffold polymer selected from the group consisting of poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLG), alginate, xanthan gum, gellan, or emulsan;
a tumor antigen;
a recruitment composition comprising a cytokine, which comprises a granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), that recruits one or more dendritic cells to temporarily reside within said device; and
a positively charged polyethylenimine (PEI)-condensed toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9)-activating CpG-ODN (PEI-CpG-ODN) which is retained in or on said scaffold polymer,
wherein said PEI-CpG-ODN is present in an amount effective to overcome the trapping effect of the cytokine on said dendritic cells.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the recruitment composition is encapsulated.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein said tumor antigen comprises a biopsy tumor cell lysate.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold polymer is alginate.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold polymer is PLG.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the CpG-ODN is CpG-ODN 1826.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein said PEI-CpG-ODN comprises nanoparticles.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein said PEI-CpG-ODN is retained in said scaffold polymer.