Immunoactive Polysaccharide Functionalized Gold Nanocomposites Promote Dendritic Cell Stimulation and Antitumor Effects

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> To investigate the immune responses and antitumor efficacy of immunoactive polysaccharide functionalized gold nanocomposites (APS-AuNP). <b>Materials & methods:</b> Immunoregulation of APS-AuNP on dendritic cells/T cells <i>in vitro</i> was evaluated by flow cytometry and their inhibitions against primary/metastatic tumors were determined on 4T1-bearing mice model. <b>Results & conclusion:</b> APS-AuNP exhibited remarkable capability to induce dendritic cells maturation through phenotypic markers with functional changes, which further promoted T-cell proliferation and enhanced cytotoxicity against 4T1 tumor cells. The inhibitory rate of APS-AuNP against 4T1 primary tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis in mice was higher than paclitaxel-treated group. In addition, APS-AuNP exhibited strong capability to increase the population of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T lymphocytes as well as effector memory cells rather than central memory cells.