Figure 6.

Biomaterials as delivery platforms for activating DCs. Biomaterial strategies can be based on various materials and cargo encapsulation/delivery mechanisms. For example, nondegradable inorganic biomaterials possess tunable morphology and structure, easy functionalization, and desirable physiological stability. Biodegradable biomaterials regulate the release rate of encapsulated cargos by controlling the physicochemical characteristics of polymers. Self‐assembly biomaterials assembled from exogenous molecular and endogenous nanocarriers can enhance bioavailability and avoid toxicity. Naturally derived biomaterials possess distinctive biological advantages of natural substances for effectively activating DCs. The physicochemical and biological properties of stimulated responsive biomaterials change under different pH values or light irradiation. “Carrier‐free” biomaterials minimize the potential risks of using additional carrier materials and increase the amount of delivered antigens. Microneedles, as safe immune stimulation platforms, are painless and exhibit a good targeting ability for skin DCs. 3D scaffolds can effectively present DCs with activating cues in a sustained manner at a localized site.