Key points from article :
UCLA researchers, in a study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, have developed synthetic, cell-like materials called SynVACs (synthetic viscoelastic antigen-presenting cells) to enhance T-cell activation, a key component of the immune system. These synthetic cells mimic the natural springiness (viscoelasticity) of real antigen-presenting cells, significantly improving the immune system's response to cancer and other diseases compared to previous rigid substitutes like magnetic beads.
Led by Song Li, a professor of bioengineering, the team demonstrated that SynVACs promote better T-cell expansion, including increasing the production of cytotoxic T-cells that destroy cancer cells and memory T-cells vital for long-term immunity. Made from biocompatible alginate, SynVACs are engineered using microfluidics to closely replicate the physical and mechanical interactions required for effective T-cell activation.
Tests in humanized mouse models showed promising results, with SynVAC-enhanced T-cells suppressing tumor growth in cancers like lymphoma and ovarian cancer. The innovation has the potential to transform immunotherapies, especially for solid tumors, by improving both their effectiveness and durability.
This research, supported by grants from organizations including the NIH and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, is advancing toward clinical trials, with a patent filed to facilitate further development into a medical device.
