Specific attachment of aqueous-based microcapsules to macrophages, B cells, and dendritic cells in vitro

Microcapsules were previously prepared composed of aqueous anionic polymers (e.g. alginate) and aqueous amines (e.g. spermine) and it was found that the aqueous-based microcapsules enhanced rotavirus-specific immune responses after oral or parenteral immunization of mice. In these studies, one has modified the amine moiety of aqueous-based microcapsules to bind covalently to avidin and the avidin-bearing microcapsules were linked to biotinylated antibodies specific for surface markers on murine macrophages, dendritic cells, or B cells. Using fluorescence flow cytometry, it was found that antibody-coated microcapsules bound specifically to antigen-presenting cells (APC) in vitro. The availability of APC-specific microcapsules should allow for the uptake of antigens by specific APC, and further one's understanding of the relative capacities of different APC to induce antigen-specific immune responses.