Mesoporous silica rods (MSRs) aggregate upon injection, forming macroporous spaces where host cells can be recruited and educated byencapsulated immunomodulatory drugs, GM-CSF and CpG. (a) In vitro cumulative release of GM-CSF from MSRs (b) CD11c+ CD11b+ (left) and CD11c+ MHC II+ (right) DCs were recruited to MSR scaffolds in a dose-dependent manner. (c) In vitro cumulative release of CpG from MSRs. (d) CpG inclusion in MSRs augmented DC activation, increasing surface expression of CD86 and MHC class II molecules. (e) Fluorescent in vivo imaging demonstrated MSRs loaded with OVA antigen deliver sustained release of protein over an extended period compared to bolus OVA injection.
Reprinted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd.: Nature Biotechnology [103], copyright 2014.