A versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of T cell responses – applied for therapeutic vaccination against HPV16 E6/E7-positive tumors in MHC-humanized mice

Therapeutic vaccines represent a promising treatment option for (pre)cancerous lesions, such as human papillomavirus-induced malignancies. They act via administration of tumor-specific antigens, leading to induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell responses. However, vaccination efficiency is o...

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Main Authors: Sebastian Kruse, Lia T. Fricke, Samantha Zottnick, Ann-Katrin Schlosser, Agnieszka K. Grabowska, Eva Feidt, Philipp Uhl, Ellen Junglas, Jonas D. Förster, Josephine Blersch, Philip Denner, Manina Günter, Stella E. Autenrieth, Eugenio Fava, Walter Mier, Armin Kübelbeck, Angelika B. Riemer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:OncoImmunology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2162402X.2025.2548002
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author Sebastian Kruse
Lia T. Fricke
Samantha Zottnick
Ann-Katrin Schlosser
Agnieszka K. Grabowska
Eva Feidt
Philipp Uhl
Ellen Junglas
Jonas D. Förster
Josephine Blersch
Philip Denner
Manina Günter
Stella E. Autenrieth
Eugenio Fava
Walter Mier
Armin Kübelbeck
Angelika B. Riemer
author_facet Sebastian Kruse
Lia T. Fricke
Samantha Zottnick
Ann-Katrin Schlosser
Agnieszka K. Grabowska
Eva Feidt
Philipp Uhl
Ellen Junglas
Jonas D. Förster
Josephine Blersch
Philip Denner
Manina Günter
Stella E. Autenrieth
Eugenio Fava
Walter Mier
Armin Kübelbeck
Angelika B. Riemer
author_sort Sebastian Kruse
collection DOAJ
description Therapeutic vaccines represent a promising treatment option for (pre)cancerous lesions, such as human papillomavirus-induced malignancies. They act via administration of tumor-specific antigens, leading to induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell responses. However, vaccination efficiency is often limited when the antigen is administered alone, due to antigen instability and inefficient uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). To address these limitations, nanoparticle-based vaccine delivery systems are currently under investigation. Here, we present a novel silica nanoparticle (SiNP)-based vaccine delivery platform that can be applied for the treatment of various diseases and cancer types. We show that surface-functionalized SiNPs are non-cytotoxic and quickly taken up by APCs. Incorporation of a linker/solubilizer sequence N-terminal of the epitope allows attachment of peptides regardless of their solubility as well as efficient processing and surface presentation by APCs. Whole-body distribution studies confirmed retention of the antigen at the injection site and decelerated excretion when connected to SiNPs. Furthermore, treatment with SiNPs, especially when combined with the adjuvant poly(I:C), resulted in activation of dendritic cells capable of priming CD8+ T cells. In C57BL/6 and MHC-humanized A2.DR1 mice, the SiNP-based vaccinations induced epitope-specific CD8+ T cells. Moreover, they exhibited anti-tumor activity and provided a survival benefit in a tumor model using HPV16 E6/E7-expressing PAP-A2 cells. Thus, the novel SiNP platform represents a promising new vehicle for therapeutic vaccine delivery.
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spelling doaj-art-167bc0a3fcad4bc2b8b76a4af88674902025-08-26T06:26:38ZengTaylor & Francis GroupOncoImmunology2162-402X2025-12-0114110.1080/2162402X.2025.2548002A versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of T cell responses – applied for therapeutic vaccination against HPV16 E6/E7-positive tumors in MHC-humanized miceSebastian Kruse0Lia T. Fricke1Samantha Zottnick2Ann-Katrin Schlosser3Agnieszka K. Grabowska4Eva Feidt5Philipp Uhl6Ellen Junglas7Jonas D. Förster8Josephine Blersch9Philip Denner10Manina Günter11Stella E. Autenrieth12Eugenio Fava13Walter Mier14Armin Kübelbeck15Angelika B. Riemer16Division of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, GermanyDivision of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, GermanyDivision of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, GermanyDivision of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, GermanySILVACX, Life Science Inkubator GmbH, Bonn, GermanySILVACX, Life Science Inkubator GmbH, Bonn, GermanyInstitute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, GermanySILVACX, Life Science Inkubator GmbH, Bonn, GermanyDivision of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, GermanyLaboratory Automation Technologies (CRFS-LAT), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, GermanyLaboratory Automation Technologies (CRFS-LAT), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, GermanyDendritic Cells in Infection and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, GermanyDendritic Cells in Infection and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, GermanyLaboratory Automation Technologies (CRFS-LAT), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, GermanyDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, GermanySILVACX, Life Science Inkubator GmbH, Bonn, GermanyDivision of Immunotherapy & Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, GermanyTherapeutic vaccines represent a promising treatment option for (pre)cancerous lesions, such as human papillomavirus-induced malignancies. They act via administration of tumor-specific antigens, leading to induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell responses. However, vaccination efficiency is often limited when the antigen is administered alone, due to antigen instability and inefficient uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). To address these limitations, nanoparticle-based vaccine delivery systems are currently under investigation. Here, we present a novel silica nanoparticle (SiNP)-based vaccine delivery platform that can be applied for the treatment of various diseases and cancer types. We show that surface-functionalized SiNPs are non-cytotoxic and quickly taken up by APCs. Incorporation of a linker/solubilizer sequence N-terminal of the epitope allows attachment of peptides regardless of their solubility as well as efficient processing and surface presentation by APCs. Whole-body distribution studies confirmed retention of the antigen at the injection site and decelerated excretion when connected to SiNPs. Furthermore, treatment with SiNPs, especially when combined with the adjuvant poly(I:C), resulted in activation of dendritic cells capable of priming CD8+ T cells. In C57BL/6 and MHC-humanized A2.DR1 mice, the SiNP-based vaccinations induced epitope-specific CD8+ T cells. Moreover, they exhibited anti-tumor activity and provided a survival benefit in a tumor model using HPV16 E6/E7-expressing PAP-A2 cells. Thus, the novel SiNP platform represents a promising new vehicle for therapeutic vaccine delivery.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2162402X.2025.2548002Amorphous silica nanoparticlescervical cancertherapeutic vaccinationMHC-humanized mouse modelA2.DR1human papillomavirus (HPV)
spellingShingle Sebastian Kruse
Lia T. Fricke
Samantha Zottnick
Ann-Katrin Schlosser
Agnieszka K. Grabowska
Eva Feidt
Philipp Uhl
Ellen Junglas
Jonas D. Förster
Josephine Blersch
Philip Denner
Manina Günter
Stella E. Autenrieth
Eugenio Fava
Walter Mier
Armin Kübelbeck
Angelika B. Riemer
A versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of T cell responses – applied for therapeutic vaccination against HPV16 E6/E7-positive tumors in MHC-humanized mice
OncoImmunology
Amorphous silica nanoparticles
cervical cancer
therapeutic vaccination
MHC-humanized mouse model
A2.DR1
human papillomavirus (HPV)
title A versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of T cell responses – applied for therapeutic vaccination against HPV16 E6/E7-positive tumors in MHC-humanized mice
title_full A versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of T cell responses – applied for therapeutic vaccination against HPV16 E6/E7-positive tumors in MHC-humanized mice
title_fullStr A versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of T cell responses – applied for therapeutic vaccination against HPV16 E6/E7-positive tumors in MHC-humanized mice
title_full_unstemmed A versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of T cell responses – applied for therapeutic vaccination against HPV16 E6/E7-positive tumors in MHC-humanized mice
title_short A versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of T cell responses – applied for therapeutic vaccination against HPV16 E6/E7-positive tumors in MHC-humanized mice
title_sort versatile silica nanoparticle platform for induction of t cell responses applied for therapeutic vaccination against hpv16 e6 e7 positive tumors in mhc humanized mice
topic Amorphous silica nanoparticles
cervical cancer
therapeutic vaccination
MHC-humanized mouse model
A2.DR1
human papillomavirus (HPV)
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2162402X.2025.2548002
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