Synthesis of Target-Directed Nanogel Carriers with Glycopolymers and Their Application to Immunotherapy †

This study describes the preparation of a core-shell nanogel system for active-targeted delivery of antigenic proteins to dendritic cells (DC cells), which play a critical role in inducing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) for effective immune response against cancer and infectious diseases. Mannose-type glycan block copolymers were synthesized and modified onto hydrophilic silica nanoparticles to create mannose-presenting nanoparticles (SiNP-Man), which were shown to selectively bind to lectin and inhibit aggregation in the presence of free mannose. This nanogel system has potential as an effective and stable antigen delivery method for CTL induction. Thus, the newly designed mannose block copolymer would have promising property to install nature of active-targeting towards mannose specific c type lectin on DC cells.