Uptake of Long Protein-Polyelectrolyte Nanotubes by Dendritic Cells

Anisotropic nanostructures, such as nanotubes, incorporating bioactive molecules present interesting features for application as drug delivery carriers. Here, we present the synthesis of layer-by-layer (LbL) nanotubes including protein (ovalbumin) layers and go from simple to more complex synergetic combinations of synthetic and natural polyelectrolytes, leading to structures with tunable properties. The rigidity in organic and aqueous media, the stability in buffer solution and the uptake of different LbL tubes by dendritic cells (DCs) are analyzed to contrast size and chemistry. The most rigid studied systems appear as the best candidates to be internalized by cells, regardless of the chemistry of their outermost layers. The successful transport of long protein-loaded robust rigid nanotubes to the cytoplasm of DCs paves the way for their use as new cargo for the delivery of large amounts of antigen to such cells.