Induction of Ag-specific tolerance by DEC-targeting with synthetic exosomes

Dendritic cells (DCs) are located in almost all organs of the body and in the skin they form a dense network acting as a “first-line” defense against pathogens and chemicals. Here, DCs take up antigens and transport them to lymph nodes for presentation to T cells. Depending on the subtype and the activation status of the skin migrating DCs, either tolerance or immunity is induced.

By means of guiding functionalized vesicles to DCs in the skin, we will be able to manipulate the antigen uptake and the T cell activation process and thus can tailor induction of tolerance or immunity.