Artificial antigen presenting cells having a defined and dynamic shape

Abstract

Compositions and methods comprising asymmetrical artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) are disclosed. The non-spherical aAPCs more closely mimic endogenous cell-cell interactions and can be used for antigen-specific immunotherapy.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method for making an artificial antigen presenting cell (aAPC) comprising a three-dimensional microparticle or nanoparticle having an asymmetrical shape defined by a dimension (a) along an x-axis, a dimension (b) along a y-axis, and a dimension (c) along a z-axis, wherein at least one of (a), (b), or (c) is not equal to at least one other dimension (a), (b), or (c); and one or more molecules capable of interacting with one or more T cell receptors (TCRs) of a T cell, the method comprising:
 (a) providing or preparing a plurality of microparticles or nanoparticles;   (b) preparing a film comprising the plurality of microparticles or nanoparticles;   (c) stretching the film comprising the plurality of microparticles or nanoparticles to form a plurality of three-dimensional microparticles or nanoparticles having an asymmetrical shape;   (d) harvesting the plurality of three-dimensional microparticles or nanoparticles having an asymmetrical shape; and   (e) coupling to the plurality of three-dimensional microparticles or nanoparticles having an asymmetrical shape one or more molecules capable of interacting with one or more T cell receptors (TCRs) of a T cell.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the film is heated before being stretched. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the plurality of three-dimensional microparticles or nanoparticles having an asymmetrical shape is allowed to relax back partially or completely to a spherical or near spherical shape. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising heating the plurality of three-dimensional microparticles or nanoparticles having an asymmetrical shape to induce the microparticles or nanoparticles to relax to a shape similar to an original shape of the asymmetric particle. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the film is stretched on a device comprising:
 at least a first and a second block adapted to immobilize at least two edges of a film, the at least first and second blocks comprising one or more surfaces in contact with the film; the at least first and second blocks positioned parallel to one another and perpendicular and in operational communication with at least two parallel rods, wherein at least the second block is adapted to be selectively positioned along the at least two parallel rods relative to the first block;   the device further comprising one or more of (i) a cord attached to the second block and (ii) a screw attached to the cord, each of which is adapted to selectively position the second block along the at least two parallel rods relative to the first block.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the device further comprises one or more cushings in operational communication with the at least two parallel rods. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the first and the second block of the device comprise at least one patterned face to facilitate immobilizing the at least two edges of the film. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least first and second blocks of the device further comprise one or more rubber pads in operational communication with the one or more surfaces in contact with the film.