MPLA-coated hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) nanocapsules induce vigorous T cell responses in cord blood derived human T cells

MPLA-coating of HBsAg nanocapsules (NCs) enhanced the uptake of NCs by neonatal and adult monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs). The TLR4 mediated phagocytosis and the additional stimulation with IFNγ induced up-regulated expression levels of the co-stimulatory molecules CD80/86, the MHC II molecule, and the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-6. Neonatal moDCs pulsed with MPLA-HBsAg-NCs plus IFNγ possessed the ability to trigger naïve T cells towards TH1 immunity. The antigen-specific T cell proliferation was associated with the secretion of TH1 cell-specific IFNγ release.108