mRNA-Lipoplex loaded microbubble contrast agents for ultrasound-assisted transfection of dendritic cells

In cancer immunotherapy the immune system should be triggered to specifically recognize and eliminate tumor cells in the patient's body. This could be achieved by loading dendritic cells (DCs) with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). This can be achieved by transfecting DCs with messenger RNA encoding a tumor-associated antigen. Here we demonstrate transient transfection of dendritic cells by means of mRNA-lipoplexes bound to microbubbles. Microbubble-attached lipoplexes were introduced into the cells by applying ultrasound. Our data demonstrate that ultrasound-mediated delivery of mRNA-complexes led to efficient transfection of DCs. When mRNA encoding luciferase was used, maximal levels of the enzyme activity were detected 8 h after ultrasound application. Upon longer incubation protein expression gradually declined. This treatment did not affect viability of the cells. Intracellular localisation of mRNA-lipoplexes in DCs was determined by flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled lipoplexes. Over 50% of DCs contained fluorescently labeled mRNA-complexes. In the absence of additional maturation signals, transfection of immature DCs with mRNA-lipoplex loaded microbubbles and ultrasound application induced only a minor shift in the expression level of maturation markers (CD40 and CD86). However, in the presence of the activation stimulus (LPS), cells were able to further mature as shown by a significant up-regulation of CD40 expression. Thus, our results demonstrate that mRNA-lipoplex loaded microbubbles can serve as an applicable and safe tool for efficient mRNA-transfection of cultured DCs.