Dynamic Covalent Dextran Hydrogels as Injectable, Self-adjuvating Peptide Vaccine Depots

ChemRxiv

Abstract

Dextran-based hydrogels are promising therapeutic materials for drug delivery, tissue regeneration devices, and cell therapy vectors, due to their high biocompatibility, along with their ability to protect and release active therapeutic agents. This report describes the synthesis, characterization and application of a new dynamic covalent dextran hydrogel as an injectable depot for peptide vaccines. Dynamic covalent crosslinks based on double Michael addition of thiols to alkynones impart the dextran hydrogel with shear-thinning and self-healing capabilities, enabling hydrogel injection. These injectable, non-toxic hydrogels show adjuvant potential and have predictable sub-millimolar loading and release of the peptide antigen SIINFEKL, which after its release is able to activate T-cells, demonstrating that the hydrogels deliver peptides without modifying their immunogenicity. This work demonstrates the potential of dynamic covalent dextran hydrogels as a sustained-release material for delivery of peptide vaccines.

Authors 5

1. Bowen Fan

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Delft University of Technology

2. Diana Torres‐García Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

3. Marziye Salehi

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Delft University of Technology

4. Sander van Kasteren Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

5. Rienk Eelkema

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Delft University of Technology