eBook: Breakthroughs and Innovations in Immunology Research - 5

Basement membranes are composed of extracellular
matrix proteins that provide the signals for cell
differentiation and growth and also the structure
for those cells to build into tissues. Researchers
have therefore leveraged these natural properties
via basement membrane extracts,2
which form a
hydrogel supporting the more advanced models
they need to scale immunology research beyond
the cellular level. Basement membrane extracts
can even be used to support angiogenesis and tumor
xenograft studies.3
The specific hydrogel a research group uses can depend
on various factors, including whether they'll
be culturing cells in 2D or 3D (i.e., organoids) or
whether their work requires stem cell differentiation.
Different protocols can be leveraged to produce
hydrogels with a variety of characteristics;2
the right protocol is essential to produce the right
hydrogel for a specific research application.
In Chapter 2 of this eBook, we take a deeper dive
into the various factors impacting hydrogel characteristics
and their use across a variety of applications,
including the pros and cons of synthetic
and natural basement membrane extracts. We also
introduce ACROBiosystems' Matrigengel Matrix,
which is manufactured and optimized according
to your specific research application.
Differentiating two core cell types
in immunology research
Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and
dendritic cells have been used extensively in
immunology research to study the basic mechanisms
of the immune system. BMMs can differentiate
into macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils,
making them important precursors for
any research efforts into these different cell types
and how they influence inflammation in response
to infection or allergy. Dendritic cells help researchers
better understand antigen presentation
during T cell activation. Both cell types support
the development of novel therapies for a range of
immune-mediated conditions.
Despite their importance, differentiating these
two cell types from one another-both in terms of
form and function-further study and therapeutic
development is complicated by the fact that they
share several phenotypic markers. It is, therefore,
critical that
researchers understand the unique
characteristics of each cell type to fully understand
the role each plays in human health and disease.
In Chapter 3 of this eBook, we describe a novel
protocol to differentiate and characterize BMMs
and dendritic cells from CXCR1+
murine bone marrow
cells using BioLegend's MojoSort™ separation
system. The results of this protocol underscore
the need for researchers to leverage cytokine and
chemokine profiles and not just surface markers
when isolating and characterizing these two important
immune cell types to further our understanding
of their phenotype and function.
Advances in CAR cells
Advances in basic research tools and technology,
like the two examples described in the first two
chapters of this eBook, will be critical for further
developing and optimizing existing and novel
immune therapeutics. Chimeric antigen receptor
(CAR) T cells represent one of the most important
immunotherapies in our arsenal.4
They've
been used to treat a variety of blood cancers and
are perhaps the best current example of personalized
medicine, since a patient's own cells are
modified. Currently, six CAR-T therapies have
FDA approval. Yet these cells are still undergoing
5
eBook: Breakthroughs and Innovations in Immunology Research

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of eBook: Breakthroughs and Innovations in Immunology Research
