Advika Srinivasan
BME MS Thesis Defense Presentation
Date: 2025-04-24
Time: 10 AM - 12 PM
Location / Meeting Link: IBB 3316/ https://gatech.zoom.us/j/96796542032?pwd=9bb3X2w0VPVtWsrnPaWnxYhn1j6lZ4.1

Committee Members:
Julia E. Babensee, PhD (Advisor) Marian Ackun-Farmmer, PhD Leslie Chan, PhD


Title: Hydrogel-Based Viability and Migration Studies of Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapeutic Applications

Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by axonal demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) and resultant neurological deficits. It is estimated 3% of the US population is affected by a tissue-specific or systemic autoimmune disorder, including MS, affecting predominantly women. While there is no cure for MS, drugs like fingolimod, mitoxantrone, alemtuzumab, and natalizumab only slow the progression of neurodegeneration and are often associated with increased risks of infection, depression, and organ damage. Promoting tolerance towards MS-disease associated antigens is expected to ameliorate MS disease immune stimulation. In recent decades, research in biomaterials and immunoengineering has accelerated significantly, driving the development of advanced therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) have emerged as a key focus in pharmaceutical and biological therapeutics due to their ability to bridge the innate and adaptive immunity. Therefore, this study investigates the immunomodulatory potential of DCs for disease severity attenuation using an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) preclinical MS model. DCs treated with interleukin-10 (IL-10) referred as DC10s were transplanted using in situ gelling poly (ethylene glycol)- 4 arms maleimide (PEG-4MAL) hydrogels conjugated with the immunosuppressive cytokine, interleukin, IL-10, for target site localization. Additionally, the study also investigates the viability and migratory potential of DC10s embedded in the hydrogel system. The viability and migratory status of the hydrogel-delivered DCs will be an important determining factor in the mode by which they exert their immunomodulatory effect. This research demonstrates the success of the biomaterial to promote tolerogenic processes in vivo, thereby attenuating disease progression in a preclinical model of MS.