Graphene Oxide, But Not Fullerenes, Targets Immunoproteasomes and Suppresses Antigen Presentation by Dendritic Cells

Graphene oxide (GO) and C60‐ or C60‐TRIS fullerenes, internalized by murine dendritic cells (DCs), differently affect their abilities to present antigens to T‐cells. While C60‐fullerenes stimulate the ovalbumin‐specific MHC class I‐restricted T‐cell response, GO impairs the stimulatory potential of DCs. In contrast to C60‐fullerenes, GO decreases the intracellular levels of LMP7 immunoproteasome subunits required for processing of protein antigens. This is important for the development of DC‐based vaccines.