Soluble N-Acetylgalactosamine-Modified Antigens Enhance Hepatocyte-Dependent Antigen Cross-Presentation and Result in Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cell Tolerance Development

Soluble N-Acetylgalactosamine-Modified Antigens Enhance Hepatocyte-Dependent Antigen Cross-Presentation and Result in Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cell Tolerance Development

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Hepatocytes compose up to 80% of the total liver and have been indicated as important players in the induction of immunologic tolerance in this organ.We show that hepatocytes possess the molecular machinery required for the cross-presentation of extracellular antigens.Using a derivative of the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) Conductivity Gels covalently modified with a polymer containing multiple N-acetylgalactosamine residues (pGal-OVA) that enhance extracellular antigen uptake by mimicking the glycome of Mirror apoptotic debris, we show efficient hepatocyte-dependent induction of cross-tolerance of both adoptively transferred OT-I cells and endogenous OVA-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes, for example inducing tolerance to OVA-expressing skin transplants.

Our study confirms that hepatocytes are capable of inducing peripheral tolerogenesis and provides proof of concept that they may be a valuable candidate for in vivo targeted tolerogenic treatments.