Overview

• The VIB-UGent team with partners in Ghent and Brussels reports that dendritic cell outcomes depend on what lipid nanoparticles carry.
• Using CITE-seq alongside flow cytometry, researchers identified distinct transcriptional and surface-protein signatures of immunogenic versus homeostatic maturation.
• Empty lipid nanoparticles were weak activators of dendritic cells, indicating the lipid shell is not inherently decoded as dangerous.
• mRNA-loaded or Toll-like receptor ligand–adjuvanted particles induced antiviral programs and T cell activation, consistent with immunogenic maturation.
• Empty or peptide-loaded particles steered cells toward homeostatic states, a pattern the authors say could inform tolerogenic vaccine concepts pending further validation.