Direct effects of poly(ε-caprolactone) lipid-core nanocapsules on human immune cells

Poly(ε-caprolactone) lipid-core nanocapsules (LNCs) are efficient drug carriers and drug-free LNCs display therapeutic effects, inhibiting tumor growth and neutrophil activities. Herein, we investigated the direct actions of LNCs on human immune cells, to guide their therapeutic application. LNC’s uptake, cytokine release, cell migration, proliferation and intracellular pathways under inflammatory stimulation were investigated. LNCs quickly penetrated leukocytes without cytotoxicity; inhibited mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine release and leukocyte migration under inflammatory stimulation, which were associated with inhibition of the MAP kinase pathway and intracellular calcium influx. Hence, we showed LNCs as a down-regulatory agent on immune cells, suggesting that either the particles themselves or their application as a drug carrier can halt non-desired inflammatory processes.