Figure 4: Cryogel vaccines promote cellular infiltration and leukocyte recruitment.

(a) Schematic representation displaying the subcutaneous injection of cryogel vaccines in mice using a standard hypodermic needle, resulting in local oedema and induration at the injection site, and recruitment and activation of DCs. (b) Quantification of total cellular infiltration in macroporous cryogel sponges versus conventional nanoporous hydrogels 4 days post injection. (c) Quantification of the number of CD11b⁺ CD11c⁺ cells infiltrating cryogels loaded with GM-CSF or blank (Control, NO GM-CSF) cryogels. (d,e) FACS analysis for CD11b⁺ CD11c⁺ DCs in blank (Control, d) or GM-CSF releasing cryogels (e). (f,g) H&E staining of sectioned cryogel scaffolds 4 days subsequent to subcutaneous injection in the backs of C57BL/6 J mice: blank scaffolds (f) and GM-CSF (1.5 μg)–loaded scaffolds (g). Values represent mean and s.d. (n= 5). Differences between groups were statistically significant. Data were analysed using Student’s t-test, *P<0.05, **P<0.01.