Upconversion nanoparticle platform for efficient dendritic cell antigen delivery and simultaneous tracking

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) represent a group of NPs that can convert near-infrared (NIR) light into ultraviolet and visible light, thus possess deep tissue penetration power with less background fluorescence noise interference, and do not induce damage to biological tissues. Due to their unique optical properties and possibility for surface modification, UCNPs can be exploited for concomitant antigen delivery into dendritic cells (DCs) and monitoring by molecular imaging. In this study, we focus on the development of a nano-delivery platform targeting DCs for immunotherapy and simultaneous imaging. OVA 254–267 (OVA24) peptide antigen, harboring a CD8 T cell epitope, and Pam3CysSerLys4 (Pam3CSK4) adjuvant were chemically linked to the surface of UCNPs by amide condensation to stimulate DC maturation and antigen presentation. The OVA24-Pam3CSK4-UCNPs were thoroughly characterized and showed a homogeneous morphology and surface electronegativity, which promoted a good dispersion of the NPs. In vitro experiments demonstrated that OVA24-Pam3CSK4-UCNPs induced a strong immune response, including DC maturation, T cell activation, and proliferation, as well as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production. In vivo, highly sensitive upconversion luminescence (UCL) imaging of OVA24-Pam3CSK4-UCNPs allowed tracking of UCNPs from the periphery to lymph nodes. In summary, OVA24-Pam3CSK4-UCNPs represent an effective tool for DC-based immunotherapy. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00604-022-05441-z.