ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

Enhancement of Regulatory T Cell Therapies by Biomimetic Nanofiber Matrices on Single Cells

L. A. Fraser1, S. Lee1, Y. Sambandam2, J. He2, X. Huang2, D. Z. Ivancic2, J. Mathew2, Z. J. Zhang2, J. R. Leventhal2, L. Gallon2, S. I. Stupp1

1Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern, Chicago, IL, 2Surgery – Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern, Chicago, IL

Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 532

Keywords: Bioengineering, T cells, Tolerance

Topic: Basic Science » Cellular Therapies, Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine

Session Information

Session Name: Cellular Therapies, Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine

Session Type: Poster Abstract

Session Date & Time: None. Available on demand.

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: Here we report a new method to create an artificial and biodegradable matrix of biomimetic nanofibers on single cells with the goal of enhancing CD4+CD127–CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies.

*Methods: The nanoscale fibers are composed of self-assembling molecules known as peptide amphiphiles (PAs) which form hydrogels that mimic extracellular matrices. Cell therapies using Tregs have made important clinical progress in the treatment of excessive immune responses, particularly in the amelioration of deleterious responses following organ transplantation. In recent years novel strategies have emerged which aim to enhance cell therapies by coating single cells with a matrix. Matrices formed by PA nanofibers are well established as biocompatible and bioactive materials for cell signaling, targeting, and binding of specific proteins, and we have recently developed strategies to coat them on large numbers of single cells.

*Results: We have optimized a method to coat single Tregs with a layer of PA nanofibers, and found that after this process the cells Tregs remained viable and retained characteristic phenotypic markers of CD3, CD4 and CD25. We also confirmed immunosuppressive functionality of the coated Tregs when compared to uncoated Tregs in mixed lymphocyte reaction inhibition assays. Additionally, coated Tregs continue to bind to extracellular markers of inflammation such as vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM1). We also modified the nanofiber coating to include a peptide sequence that binds to VCAM1. We found this peptide improved Treg binding to VCAM1 by 36% compared to uncoated Tregs.

*Conclusions: We hypothesize that these novel coatings will allow cells to directly target cells to the inflammatory microenvironment, and seed this niche with anti-inflammatory molecules.

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Fraser LA, Lee S, Sambandam Y, He J, Huang X, Ivancic DZ, Mathew J, Zhang ZJ, Leventhal JR, Gallon L, Stupp SI. Enhancement of Regulatory T Cell Therapies by Biomimetic Nanofiber Matrices on Single Cells [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/enhancement-of-regulatory-t-cell-therapies-by-biomimetic-nanofiber-matrices-on-single-cells/. Accessed May 11, 2025.

« Back to 2021 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences