透明质酸介导的树突状细胞肿瘤抗原提呈效应的形态学研究

目的:探讨透明质酸对树突状细胞肿瘤抗原提呈效应的调节作用.方法:建立B16黑色素瘤小鼠模型;用GM-CSF和IL-4诱导扩增小鼠骨髓来源的树突状细胞,并用透明质酸孵育,Brdu标记;经肿瘤周围皮下回输,以普通DC、生理盐水为对照组;测量瘤体积,计算抑瘤率.光镜、透射电镜、免疫组织化学法观察HA-DC于肿瘤局部组织和淋巴结内的分布和形态学特征.结果:HA-DC细胞组的抑瘤作用强于DC细胞组(P＜0.05);HA-DC细胞主要分布于肿瘤周围和淋巴结副皮质区,透射电镜观察可见HA-DC组肿瘤周围组织中有大量树突状细胞和淋巴细胞浸润,相互有膜接触,淋巴细胞以突起深入肿瘤细胞,并与其接触、融合,肿瘤细胞发生凋亡.结论:DC负载透明质酸后可以有效激活和扩增淋巴细胞,增强机体肿瘤特异性CTL效应.     

树突状细胞和抗原负载树突状细胞在肿瘤模型鼠体内的分布和形态学观察

目的:研究体外培养的小鼠树突状细胞(dentritic cells,DCs)和抗原负载树突状细胞在肿瘤模型鼠体内的分布和形态,为肿瘤的生物学治疗提供形态学基础.方法:分离和培养DC,制备B16黑色素瘤细胞抗原,进行共培养,即为抗原负载的DC,Brdu标记DC和抗原负载的DC,建立B16黑色素瘤小鼠模型,于瘤周围皮下注射Brdu标记的DC和抗原负载的DC.应用光镜、免疫组化方法和透射电镜观察DC和抗原负载DC在肿瘤模型鼠体内的分布和形态.结果:免疫组化染色显示Brdu标记的抗原负载DC与DC比较,体积较大.实验组Brdu标记的DC和抗原负载DC分布的数密度和面密度,分别与对照组比较,有显著差异(P＜0.01).电镜下抗原负载DC细胞与DC比较体积较大,核有切迹,细胞表面的突起较粗大弯曲,形态较成熟.结论:抗原负载DC比DC更易集聚于肿瘤组织周围,推测抗原负载DC比Dc可能诱导抗肿瘤效应更强.     

体外培养的小鼠抗原负载树突状细胞的形态学特征

目的:研究体外培养的小鼠抗原负载树突状细胞(dentritic cells,DCs)的形态学特征,为肿瘤的生物学治疗提供形态学基础.方法:分离和培养DC,制备B16黑色素瘤细胞抗原,进行共培养,即为抗原负栽的DC.建立B16黑色素瘸小鼠模型,于瘤周围皮下注射抗原负载的DC.应用光镜、免疫组化方法和透射电镜观察抗原负载DC的形态学特征.结果:培养的抗原负载DC与DC比较,体积较大,表面突起较粗大且弯曲.免疫组化染色显示抗原负载树突状细胞主要分布于肿瘤周围皮肤的乳头层、网织层和肿瘤周围,于局域淋巴结的被膜下窦和副皮质区有散在分布.电镜下抗原负载DC细胞体积较大,核有切迹,细胞表面的突起,与肿瘤细胞和淋巴细胞接触密切.结论:抗原负载DC表现出比一般树突状细胞功能更加活跃的形态特征,冻融法全细胞来源的肿瘤抗原负载DC可以获得理想的DC疫苗.     

CCR7和B7-2在抗原负载树突状细胞诱导特异性CTL抗肿瘤效应中的表达和意义

目的:研究CCR7(趋化因子受体7)和B7-2(白细胞分化抗原86)与抗原负载树突状细胞(dentritic cell,DC)诱导特异性CTL(细胞毒性T淋巴细胞)抗肿瘤效应的关系.方法:分离和培养DC,制备B16黑色素瘤细胞抗原,进行共培养,即为抗原负载的DC,建立B16黑色素瘤小鼠模型,于肿瘤周围皮下注射抗原负载的DC.应用原位杂交和免疫组织化学方法检测CCR7和B7-2的表达情况.结果:原位杂交和免疫组织化学染色显示,CCR7和B7-2阳性细胞主要分布于肿瘤周围组织,随着注射抗原负载DC时间的进展,CCR7和B7-2呈强阳性表达.结论:CCR7和B7-2的表达与抗原负载树突状细胞诱导特异性CTL抗肿瘤效应有关.     

树突状细胞对小剂量化疗疗效影响的基础研究

目的 研究树突状细胞对小剂量化疗疗效的影响,探讨小剂量化疗的可能机制.方法 以615小鼠的前胃癌细胞株(MFC)造模,在体外用rmGM-CSF和rmIL-4从荷瘤小鼠骨髓细胞分化、诱导未成熟树突状细胞.分为4组:小剂量化疗组、树突状细胞组、小剂量化疗+树突状细胞组、对照组,以BAX试剂盒检测肿瘤凋亡情况.在瘤体内注射树突状细胞,计算抑瘤率、特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)的增殖及其对肿瘤细胞的特异性杀伤作用.结果 小剂量化疗能诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡,BAX 基因产物表达增多.注射侧抑瘤率小剂量化疗+DC组、小剂量化疗组、DC组分别为100%、67.22%和57.98%.对侧抑瘤率小剂量化疗+DC组、小剂量化疗组、DC组分别为87.58%、59.69%和48.24%.体内凋亡肿瘤细胞致敏的DC能显著刺激T淋巴细胞增殖,其诱导的CTL对MFC有显著的杀伤作用,在效靶比为40∶ 1、20∶ 1、10∶ 1和5∶ 1时72 h杀伤率分别为87.64%、70.32%、34.63%和13.87%.并能特异性杀伤小鼠前胃癌细胞MFC(P<0.01).结论 小剂量化疗的机制与肿瘤细胞凋亡及免疫促进有一定的相关.     

树突细胞联合细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞对急性白血病细胞的体外杀伤作用

目的:研究细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞(CIK)与同源树突状细胞(DC)共培养后CIK细胞的表型、增殖活性的变化,及抗急性白血病细胞活性.方法:正常人外周血单个核细胞诱导DC和CIK细胞,将DC与CIK共培养,以CIK细胞单独培养为对照.用台盼蓝活细胞计数计算细胞扩增倍数,MTT法测定杀伤活性,流式细胞术分析免疫表型.结果:DC-CIK细胞增殖能力明显高于CIK细胞(P＜0.05); DC、CIK细胞共培养后,CD3+ CD8+、CD3+ CD56+双阳性细胞比率较同条件下CIK细胞组显著增多(P＜0.05);在2.5∶1-20∶1的效靶比范围内,DC-CIK共培养物对AML细胞的杀伤率显著高于CIK细胞(P＜0.05),且杀伤率与效靶比呈正相关.结论:DC-CIK细胞的增殖能力、对AML细胞的杀伤活性均高于CIK细胞,为DC-CIK细胞免疫治疗提供了实验和理论依据.     

体内致敏的树突状细胞诱导特异性抗肿瘤免疫的基础研究

目的证实树突状细胞（dendritic cells,DC）可在体内通过吞噬凋亡肿瘤细胞获取抗原物质,探讨其在肿瘤免疫治疗中的意义.方法以615小鼠的前胃癌细胞株造模,在体外用rmGM-CSF和rmIL-4从荷瘤小鼠骨髓细胞分化、诱导未成熟树突状细胞.分为4组：小剂量化疗组、树突状细胞组、小剂量化疗＋树突状细胞组和对照组,以BAX试剂盒检测肿瘤细胞凋亡.在瘤体内注射树突状细胞,观察给药侧瘤体及对侧瘤体体积,生存期,和特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞（CTLs）对肿瘤细胞的特异性杀伤作用.结果小剂量化疗能诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡.小剂量化疗后瘤内应用树突状细胞,给药侧瘤体及对侧瘤体体积明显缩小（P＜0.05）,小鼠的生存率提高,体内凋亡肿瘤细胞致敏的DC诱导的CTL对MFC有显著的杀伤作用,在效靶比为40：1、20：1、10：1和5：1时72 h的杀伤率分别为87.64%、70.32%、34.63%和13.87%.并能特异性杀伤小鼠前胃癌细胞MFC（P＜0.01）.结论体外诱导分化的未成熟DC,能于体内捕获小剂量化疗诱导的凋亡肿瘤细胞所携带的肿瘤抗原,诱导机体特异性抗肿瘤免疫反应.     

DC-CIK细胞的生物学活性及体外抗血液肿瘤研究

目的:研究细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞(CIK)与树突状细胞(DC)共培养后的体外增殖能力、免疫表型变化、分泌细胞因子水平以及对K562、K562/ADM细胞毒作用的影响.方法:正常人外周血单个核细胞诱导DC和CIK细胞,将DC与CIK共培养,以CIK细胞单独培养为对照.用台盼蓝活细胞计数计算细胞扩增倍数,MTT法测定杀伤活性,流式细胞术分析免疫表型,ELISA双抗体夹心法检测分泌干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-12(IL-12)的水平.结果:DC-CIK细胞增殖能力明显高于CIK细胞(P＜0.05);DC、CIK细胞共培养后,CD3+ CD8+、CD3+ CD56+双阳性细胞比率较同条件下CIK细胞组显著增多(P＜0.05);共培养3d,DC-CIK细胞上清液中IL-12、INF-7的分泌量均比CIK细胞单独培养的分泌量高(P＜0.01,P＜ 0.05);在2.5∶1-20∶1的效靶比范围内,DC-CIK共培养物对K562和K562/ADM的杀伤活性均高于单纯CIK细胞组,且差异显著(P＜0.05),且杀伤率与效靶比呈正相关.结论:DC-CIK细胞的增殖能力、分泌细胞因子水平、对K562和K562/ADM的杀伤活性均高于CIK细胞,为DC-CIK细胞免疫治疗提供了实验和理论依据.     

p53转染黑色素瘤细胞修饰的树突状细胞疫苗体外抗肿瘤作用的研究

利用野生型p53质粒转染黑色素瘤B16细胞,反复冻融法提取p53修饰的肿瘤抗原(p53-Ag),将抗原体外冲击同基因小鼠骨髓来源的树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DC)制备特异性DC肿瘤疫苗;观察DC诱导的淋巴细胞增殖反应和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(cytotoxic T lymphocytes,CTL)对黑色素瘤细胞的细胞毒效应,分析其诱导肿瘤抗原特异性免疫应答的机制。结果显示,p53-肿瘤抗原冲击的DC可显著刺激淋巴细胞增殖,其诱导的CTL效应对肿瘤细胞也有很好的杀伤效果。     

自体DC、CIK细胞在急性髓细胞白血病治疗中的研究进展

树突状细胞(DC)是初级免疫应答的激发者,是最有活力的抗原递呈细胞(APC),可以有效地抑制白血病细胞逃逸。未成熟DC细胞从细胞外捕获各种抗原信息,成熟DC细胞传递各种抗原信息给宿主淋巴结的T细胞,激活抗原相关的主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)限制性特异性免疫应答,另外,亦可通过影响B细胞的增殖,不同程度的活化体液免疫应答。细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞(CIK)是一组具有细胞毒作用的异质细胞群,是较LAK细胞溶瘤活性更强的一种免疫活性细胞,对包括白血病在内的多种恶性肿瘤具有抗肿瘤效应,具有非MHC限制性的杀瘤特点。二者联合培养及应用又增强了各自的活性。DC细胞与CIK细胞对于白血病的疗效不仅在实验室得以证实,而且已经逐步应用于临床,其在清除微小残留病以及预防造血干细胞移植后复发中取得了良好的效果。随着细胞制备技术的完善和研究的进一步深入,自体DC、CIK细胞治疗急性髓细胞白血病逐渐获得众多专家的认可。中国卫生部已经把自体免疫细胞治疗技术做为第三类医疗技术应用于临床,批准号200984。本文就目前DC、CIK、DC-CIK细胞免疫疗法在急性髓细胞白血病中的应用进展加以综述。     

Inefficient presentation of tumor-derived antigen by tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells

BACKGROUND: Transplantable B16 melanoma is widely used as a tumor model to investigate tumor immunity. We wished to characterize the leukocyte populations infiltrating B16 melanoma tumors, and the functional properties of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (TIDC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the B16 melanoma cell line expressing ovalbumin protein (OVA) to investigate the phenotype and T cell stimulatory capacity of TIDC. RESULTS: The majority of leukocytes in B16 melanoma were macrophages, which colocalized with TIDCs, B and T cells to the peripheral area of the tumor. Both myeloid and plasmacytoid DC populations were present within tumors. Most of these DCs appeared immature, but about a third expressed a mature phenotype. TIDCs did not present tumor-derived antigen, as they were unable to induce the proliferation of tumor-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vitro unless in the presence of specific peptides. Some presentation of tumor-derived antigen could be demonstrated in the tumor-draining lymph node using in vivo proliferation assays. However, while proliferation of CD8+ T cells was reproducibly demonstrated, no proliferation of CD4+ T cells was observed. CONCLUSION: In summary, our data suggest that DCs in tumors have limited antigen-presenting function. Inefficient antigen presentation extends to the tumor-draining lymph node, and may affect the generation of antitumor immune responses.     

共培养的树突状细胞与CIK细胞的体外增殖和杀瘤活性研究

To observe the changes of phenotype, proliferation activity and cytotoxicity of CIK(cytokine induced killer) cells after co-culturing with dendritic cells(DCs), DCs and CIK cells were generated, respectively, by cytokines induction of culturing PBMC of healthy blood donor. The typical DCs and DCs pulsed by A549 lung cancer cells lysate antigen were co-cultured with CIK cells, respectively. Cell surface markers were analyzed by FACS method. IFN-gamma and IL-12 secreted by CIK cells and co-cultured cells were detected by ELISA. The cytotoxicities of effective cells on A549 cells and BEL-7404 cells in vitro were measured by MTT assays. The results showed that co-culture of DCs with CIK cells produced a new cell population, whose proliferation activity and cytotoxicity were much higher than CIK cells. The co-culture stimulated the maturation of DCs. The co-culture of CIK cells and A549 cells lysate antigen pulsed DC resulted in an enhanced killing activity to A549 cells than CIK cells and un-pulsed DC-CIK cells(p < 0.05). In conclusion, CIK cells co-cultured with DCs are more powerful than CIK cells alone in anti-tumor reaction.     

Dendritic cells charged with apoptotic tumor cells induce long-lived protective CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immunity against B16 melanoma

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent APCs and attractive vectors for cancer immunotherapy. Using the B16 melanoma, a poorly immunogenic experimental tumor that expresses low levels of MHC class I products, we investigated whether DCs loaded ex vivo with apoptotic tumor cells could elicit combined CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell dependent, long term immunity following injection into mice. The bone marrow-derived DCs underwent maturation during overnight coculture with apoptotic melanoma cells. Following injection, DCs migrated to the draining lymph nodes comparably to control DCs at a level corresponding to approximately 0.5% of the injected inoculum. Mice vaccinated with tumor-loaded DCs were protected against an intracutaneous challenge with B16, with 80% of the mice remaining tumor-free 12 wk after challenge. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were efficiently primed in vaccinated animals, as evidenced by IFN-gamma secretion after in vitro stimulation with DCs loaded with apoptotic B16 or DCs pulsed with the naturally expressed melanoma Ag, tyrosinase-related protein 2. In addition, B16 melanoma cells were recognized by immune CD8(+) T cells in vitro, and cytolytic activity against tyrosinase-related protein 2(180-188)-pulsed target cells was observed in vivo. When either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells were depleted at the time of challenge, the protection was completely abrogated. Mice receiving a tumor challenge 10 wk after vaccination were also protected, consistent with the induction of tumor-specific memory. Therefore, DCs loaded with cells undergoing apoptotic death can prime melanoma-specific helper and CTLs and provide long term protection against a poorly immunogenic tumor in mice.     

Prophylactic Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccines Efficiently Inhibit Metastases in Murine Metastatic Melanoma

Recent data on the application of dendritic cells (DCs) as anti-tumor vaccines has shown their great potential in therapy and prophylaxis of cancer. Here we report on a comparison of two treatment schemes with DCs that display the models of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination using three different experimental tumor models: namely, Krebs-2 adenocarcinoma (primary tumor), melanoma (B16, metastatic tumor without a primary node) and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC, metastatic tumor with a primary node). Dendritic cells generated from bone marrow-derived DC precursors and loaded with lysate of tumor cells or transfected with the complexes of total tumor RNA with cationic liposomes were used for vaccination. Lipofectamine 2000 and liposomes consisting of helper lipid DOPE (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine) and cationic lipid 2D3 (1,26-Bis(1,2-de-O-tetradecyl-rac-glycerol)-7,11,16,20-tetraazahexacosan tetrahydrocloride) were used for RNA transfection. It was shown that DCs loaded with tumor lysate were ineffective in contrast to tumor-derived RNA. Therapeutic vaccination with DCs loaded by lipoplexes RNA/Lipofectamine 2000 was the most efficient for treatment of non-metastatic Krebs-2, where a 1.9-fold tumor growth retardation was observed. Single prophylactic vaccination with DCs loaded by lipoplexes RNA/2D3 was the most efficient to treat highly aggressive metastatic tumors LLC and B16, where 4.7- and 10-fold suppression of the number of lung metastases was observed, respectively. Antimetastatic effect of single prophylactic DC vaccination in metastatic melanoma model was accompanied by the reductions in the levels of Th2-specific cytokines however the change of the levels of Th1/Th2/Th17 master regulators was not found. Failure of double prophylactic vaccination is explained by Th17-response polarization associated with autoimmune and pro-inflammatory reactions. In the case of therapeutic DC vaccine the polarization of Th1-response was found nevertheless the antimetastatic effect was less effective in comparison with prophylactic DC vaccine.     

DC-CIK对K562/A多药耐药基因mdr1表达的影响

目的：体外观察树突状细胞（dendritic cell,DC）联合细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞（cytokine inducedkiller,CIK）对K562/A细胞株多药耐药基因mdr1表达的影响。方法：采集健康人的外周血,分离出单个核细胞（peripheral blood mononuclear cell,PBMC）,在体外加入多种细胞因子经诱导生成DC及CIK细胞,以流式细胞仪检测其表面标志,将DC细胞内加入K562/A细胞裂解物致敏后,再与CIK细胞混合培养48小时。将致敏后的DC-CIK细胞与K562/A及K562分组培养后以荧光定量PCR检测其mdr1基因表达的情况,PBMC作为对照组。结果：RT-PCR中可见K562/A＋DC-CIK组中mdr1 mRNA表达较K562/A明显降低,经荧光定量PCR观察到K562/A内mdr1 mRNA表达为K562的10.27倍、K562/A/PBMC略低于未处理的K562/A（P〉0.05）,K562/A/DC-CIK细胞中mdr1 mRNA含量较K562/A、K562/A/PBMC少（P〈0.05）。DC-CIK细胞与细胞株混合培养后,mdr1基因表达较混合培养前明显降低。结论：实验数据显示DC-CIK可使耐药细胞株内mdr1基因表达下调。但K562与DC-CIK混合培养后该基因降低不明显,提示该基因在细胞中存在着基础表达,意义在于维持细胞内稳态。目前针对逆转白血病耐药的研究较少,需要多进行相关研究以拓宽细胞免疫治疗在逆转耐药领域的应用。DC-CIK是具有发展潜力的抗肿瘤方法。本实验将为下一阶段研究逆转耐药的机制提供依据,DC-CIK细胞免疫疗法有望成为逆转肿瘤耐药的新方法。     

Adoptive cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with breast cancer: A meta-analysis

BackgroundTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of dendritic cells (DC) alone, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells alone and the combination of DC and CIK cells in the treatment of breast cancer, we performed a systemic review of the relevant published clinical studies, collectively referred to as DC-CIK cell therapy.MethodsSix hundred thirty-three patients with breast cancer were assigned to cohorts, and a meta-analysis was conducted.ResultsThe treatment of breast cancer with DC-CIK cells was associated with a significantly improved 1-year survival (P = 0.0001). The Karnofsky performance status scale of the patients treated with DC-CIK cells was significantly improved compared with that of the non-DC-CIK group (P < 0.0001). The percentage of T cells (CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺), CD16⁺ monocytes, and CD3⁺CD56⁺ natural killer T cells in the peripheral blood of cancer patients was significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05), whereas the percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells was not significantly decreased (P = 0.32) in the DC-CIK treatment group compared with the non-DC-CIK group. The levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-12, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and nucleolar organizer region protein in the peripheral blood of cancer patients, which reflect immune function, were significantly increased (P < 0.001) after DC-CIK cell treatment. Furthermore, after DC-CIK treatment, the average levels of the alpha-fetoprotein, cancer antigen embryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen tumor markers were decreased (P < 0.00001).ConclusionsDC-CIK cell therapy markedly prolongs survival time, enhances immune function, and improves the efficacy of the treatment of breast cancer patients.     

Tumor cells loaded with alpha-galactosylceramide induce innate NKT and NK cell-dependent resistance to tumor implantation in mice

Dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) are known to be active APCs for the stimulation of innate NKT and NK cell responses in vivo. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of non-DCs to present alpha-GalCer in vitro and in vivo, particularly tumor cells loaded with alpha-GalCer (tumor/Gal). Even though the tumor cells lacked expression of CD40, CD80, and CD86 costimulatory molecules, the i.v. injection of tumor/Gal resulted in IFN-gamma secretion by NKT and NK cells. These innate responses to tumor/Gal, including the induction of IL-12p70, were comparable to or better than alpha-GalCer-loaded DCs. B16 melanoma cells that were stably transduced to express higher levels of CD1d showed an increased capacity relative to wild-type B16 cells to present alpha-GalCer in vivo. Three different tumor cell lines, when loaded with alpha-GalCer, failed to establish tumors upon i.v. injection, and the mice survived for at least 6 mo. The resistance against tumor cells was independent of CD4 and CD8 T cells but dependent upon NKT and NK cells. Mice were protected from the development of metastases if the administration of live B16 tumor cells was followed 3 h or 3 days later by the injection of CD1d(high)-alpha-GalCer-loaded B16 tumor cells with or without irradiation. Taken together, these results indicate that tumor/Gal are effective APCs for innate NKT and NK cell responses, and that these innate immune responses are able to resist the establishment of metastases in vivo.     

Anti-tumor activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter baumannii</Emphasis> outer membrane protein A on dendritic cell-based immunotherapy against murine melanoma

Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) is a major surface protein that is an important pathogen-associated molecular pattern. Based on our previous findings that AbOmpA induced the phenotypic maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and drove the Th1 immune response in vitro, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of AbOmpA-pulsed DC vaccines in a murine melanoma model. The surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) and major histocompatibility complex class I and II molecules was higher in DCs pulsed with AbOmpA alone or with a combination of B16F10 cell lysates than that of DCs pulsed with B16F10 cell lysates. AbOmpA stimulated the maturation of murine splenic DCs in vivo. In a therapeutic model of murine melanoma, AbOmpA-pulsed DCs significantly retarded tumor growth and improved the survival of tumor-bearing mice. AbOmpA-pulsed DCs significantly enhanced CD8+, interleukin-2+ T cells and CD4+, interferon-gamma+ T cells in tumor-bearing mice. These results provide evidence that AbOmpA may be therapeutically useful in adjuvant DC immunotherapy against poorly immunogenic melanoma without tumor-specific antigens.     

Induction of tumor-specific T-cell responses by vaccination with tumor lysate-loaded dendritic cells in colorectal cancer patients with carcinoembryonic-antigen positive tumors

Background Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most effective antigen-presenting cells. In the last decade, the use of DCs for immunotherapy of cancer patients has been vastly increased. High endocytic capacity together with a unique capability of initiating primary T-cell responses have made DCs the most potent candidates for this purpose. Although DC vaccination occasionally leads to tumor regression, clinical efficacy, and immunogenicity of DCs in clinical trials has not been yet clarified. The present study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of tumor-lysate loaded DC vaccines in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive tumors. Results Six patients HLA-A*0201-positive were vaccinated with autologous DCs loaded with tumor lysates (TL) together with tetanus toxoid antigen, hepatitis B, and influenza matrix peptides. Two additional patients were injected with DCs that were generated from their sibling or parent with one haplotype mismatch. All patients received the vaccines every 2 weeks, with a total of three intra-nodal injections per patient. The results indicated that DC vaccination was safe and well tolerated by the patients. Specific immune responses were detected and in some patients, transient stabilization or even reduction of CEA levels were observed. The injection of haplotype mismatched HLA-A*0201-positive DCs resulted in some enhancement of the anti-tumor response in vitro and led to stabilization/reduction of CEA levels in the serum, compared to the use of autologous DCs. Conclusion Altogether, these results suggest that TL-pulsed DCs may be an effective vaccine method in CRC patients. Elimination of regulatory mechanisms as well as adjustment of the vaccination protocol may improve the efficacy of DC vaccination. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Dendritic cells loaded with exogenous antigen by electroporation can enhance MHC class I–mediated antitumor immunity

To develop an efficient antitumor immunotherapy, we have examined if dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with soluble antigens by electroporation present more antigens via the MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I pathway, which mediate a cytotoxic T-cell response. DCs loaded with ovalbumin (OVA) by electroporation presented more MHC class I–restricted determinants compared with DCs pulsed with OVA. When electroporated DCs were pulsed with OVA for additional times, both MHC class I– and II–restricted presentation of OVA were increased compared with each single procedure, including electroporation or simple pulse. Immunization with DCs loaded with OVA by electroporation induced higher cytotoxicity of splenocytes to E.G7 cells, a clone of EL4 cells transfected with an OVA cDNA, than immunization with DCs pulsed with OVA. In the animal study, immunization with DCs loaded with OVA or tumor cell lysates by electroporation induced an effective antitumor immunity against tumor of E.G7 cells or Lewis lung carcinoma cells, respectively. In addition, immunization with DCs loaded with antigen by combination of electroporation and pulse, completely protected mice from tumor formation, and prolonged survival, in both tumor models. These results demonstrated that electroporation would be a useful way to enhance MHC class I–mediated antitumor immunity without functional deterioration, and that the combination of electroporation and pulse could be a simple and efficient antigen-loading method and consequently lead to induction of strong antitumor immunity.Abbreviations DCs dendritic cells - MHC major histocompatibility complex - OVA ovalbumin - TAA tumor-associated antigen - CTL cytotoxic T lymphocyte - LDH lactate dehydrogenase