Ligand surface density is important for efficient capture of immunoglobulin and phosphatidylcholine coated particles by human peripheral dendritic cells

A unique property of dealuminated zeolite particles is the exceptional ability to bind both hydrophilic and hydrophobic biomolecules without any covalent linkages. By adsorbing phospholipids onto the particle surface, capture of particles by human peripheral myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) was observed. Capture of zeolite particles was only seen when a low density of phosphatidylcholine was present on the particles, indicating a specific recognition of the structural features realised by phosphatidylcholine after adsorption on the particle. Adsorbing IgG on the particles revealed capture by mDCs that was dependent upon the density of the IgG molecules. To obtain a smaller particle exposing a high density of IgG molecules, immune complexes (ICs) were formed and both mDCs and pDCs (peripheral plasmacytoid DCs) captured immune complexes, although the mDCs showed a more efficient capture of ICs. As expected, mDCs captured and internalized ICs, whereas pDCs captured ICs but showed no internalization of ICs.