Farms for lymphocytes
A group of researchers from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has developed a new hydrogel that allows the cultivation of T-lymphocytes – cells of the immune system used in cancer immunotherapy. The hydrogel can mimic the lymph nodes where T cells are reproduced and provide a high rate of cell proliferation. Scientists hope that they will soon introduce the new technology into practical medicine, a patent for the invention has already been filed with the European Patent Office. They are currently working on 3D printing of hydrogel farms in order to speed up their introduction to the market.
The hydrogel is made of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a biocompatible polymer widely used in biomedicine, and the anticoagulant heparin. PEG, covalently coupled with low molecular weight heparin, creates a structure similar to lymph nodes and necessary for the growth of T cells. The polymer provides mechanical properties, whereas heparin is used as an anchor for cytokine CCL21, which is present in lymph nodes and affects cell migration and proliferation. The three-dimensional structure of the hydrogel in combination with its loading capacity leads to an increase in the proliferation of primary human CD4+ T lymphocytes compared to modern systems consisting of artificial antigen-presenting cells.
A prototype of a hydrogel farm for growing T cells made using a 3D printer.
Adoptive cell therapy
Cancer immunotherapy is based on using and strengthening the patient's immune system, so that it recognizes tumor cells and fights them without damaging healthy tissues. One of the possible methods of treatment, adoptive cell therapy, consists in taking T cells from patients, modifying them to make them more active, making numerous copies and reintroducing them to patients.
Such personalized therapy seems to have a longer lasting effect than existing cancer treatments, thanks to some T-lymphocytes that are able to provide long-term immunity. But T cells are difficult to produce, manipulate and control. A new hydrogel that mimics the natural environment for T cells may be the solution to this problem.
Entering the market
The aim of the researchers is to learn how to print large 3D hydrogel farms compatible with clinical bioreactors in order to increase the number of T cells more efficiently. They plan to create a prototype in the laboratory and conduct the first experiments for testing in clinical trials. The project is currently looking for partners and investors.
The article by E.Perez del Rio et al. CCL21-loaded 3D hydrogels for T cell expansion and differentiation is published in the journal Biomaterials.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on EurekAlert materials: New hydrogels for T-cell growth to be used in cancer immunotherapy.