Enhanced effect of CD8+ T cells activated by tumor lysate-pulsed DCs on killing autologous tumor cells

AIM: To evaluate the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with tumor lysate to initiate cell-mediated immune responses by stimulating naive T cells, and the efficiency of activated T cells to kill autologous tumor cells in vitro. METHODS: The peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes were obtained from the advanced renal cell carcinoma patient by conglutination method. The immature dendritic cells were generated in the presence of interleukin-4(IL-4) and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF) from monocytes of healthy individuals. These cells were pulsed with tumor lysate or not. Induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) response by mature dendritic cells (mDCs) was evaluated by the CD95(Fas) expression assay through FCM and the cytotoxic assay against autologous human tumor cells.　RESULTS: Human immature dendritic cells and T cells obtained from healthy donors were stimulated with tumor-pulsed dendritic cells. The immature dendritic cells were applied to the cytotoxicity assay against target autologous tumor cells. The CD95(Fas) expression, IFN-γ and TNF-α secreted by the CTLs in tumor lysate-plused DC group were higher than those of other groups. The capacity of the CTLs to kill autologous tumor cells was significantly different(P<0.05). Antigen-specific DCs vaccine can induce T cells activation and proliferation, thus we can obtain higher proportion of tumor specific cytotoxic T cells(CTLs), and enhance the CTLs to secret IFN-γ and TNF-α. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that monocyte-derived human dendritic cells pulsed with tumor lysate could induce the specific antitumor effect against autologous tumors . This in vitro model offers a new and simple approach to the development of DC+CTL-based immunotherapy.     

Antigen-loaded dendritic cells and CD40L triggers the killing effects of cytotoxic T lymphocytes on K562 cells in vitro

AIM:To investigate the anti-tumor effects of special cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) activated by dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with antigens and CD40L in vitro.METHODS:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation from normal human heparinized blood.The adherent cells were cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF),interleukin-4 (IL-4),alpha tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α),DCs were co-cultured with frozen-thawed antigen of K562 cells and CD40L,then triggered T cells into specific CTLs.RESULTS:Most suspended cells exhibited distinctive morphological features of DCs which expressed CD40 96%,CD86 97%,CD80 77%,CD1a 69%,and gained the powerful capacity to stimulate proliferation of allogenic lymphocytes.Under the effector∶target ratio of 20∶1,CTLs derived from cultures with DCs and frozen-thawed antigen of K562 cells were showed 71.3% cytotoxicities against K562 cells.CTLs derived from cultures with DCs loaded with frozen-thawed antigen and CD40L were showed 86.9% cytotoxicities against K562 cells.Cytotoxicities by CTLs derived from cultures with unloaded DCs against K562 cells were 37.6% and cytotoxicities by monocytes were 21.1%.Cytotoxicities by CTLs derived from experiment groups were stronger than control groups (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:The tumor antigen-pulsed DCs induces efficient and specific anti-tumor immunity,CTLs derived from cultures containing DCs pulsed with CD40L show the strongest cytolytic activities on K562 cells.     

WT1 peptide-loaded DC triggers cytotoxic T lymphocytes and killing effects on K562 cells in vitro

AIM: To study the effects of WT1 peptide-loaded dendritic cells (DC) stimulating the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) on K562 cells in vitro. METHODS: DC were generated from normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) , DC were cultured with WT1 peptides , and then triggered T cells into specific CTL. RESULTS: Most suspended cells exhibited distinctive morphological features of DCs and they stimulated proliferation of allogenic lymphocytes. Under the effector : target ratio of 20∶1, CTLs derived from cultures with DC and WT1 peptides were showed 86.1%±26.8% cytotoxicity against K562 cells, cytotoxicity by CTLs derived from cultures with unloaded DC against K562 cells were 47.1%±20.8% and cytotoxicity by lymphocytes were 27.7%±15.3%. Cytotoxicity by CTLs derived from culture with WT1 peptides-loaded DC were the strongest among three groups （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSION: CTLs derived from cultures containing DC pulsed with WT1 peptides show the strongest cytolytic activities on K562 cells.     

Anti-cancer effect of cytotoxic T lymphocytes activated by sensitized dendritic cells

AIM: To investigate the anti-cancer effect of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) activated by sensitized dendritic cells (DCs). METHODS: Immature DCs were induced in vitro from peripheral blood monocytic cells (PBMC) and sensitized by adding tumor cells antigen extract. DCs were identified by their morphology and surface markers. MTT assay was used to evaluate the killing activity of CTL activated by sensitized DCs. The effects of specific CTL cells on inhibiting transplanted tumor HT-29 growth and on preventing HT-29 tumor generation were evaluated by injecting CTL into nude mice. RESULTS: After cultured for seven days, a large number of activated DCs were obtained with typical morphology, extensive stimulatory proliferation capacity and high CD80 (63.5%), CD83 (67.6%) and CD3/HLA-DR (83.2%) expressions. The killing activity of CTL at 20∶1 ratio of effective cells to target cells was more than 75% to tumor cells, 35%-45% to homologous cell line and weaker to other germ cell line (P<0.01). Injection of CTLs activated by HT-29 cell antigen sensitized DCs inhibited HT-29 transplanted tumor growth and prevented HT-29 tumor occurring in nude mice (P<0.05). PCNA expression level in tumor cells in CTL therapy group was dramatically lower than that in control (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CTL activated by sensitized DCs kill tumor cells specifically, inhibit transplanted tumor growth and prevent tumor transplantation in nude mice.     

Dendritic cells transfected with tumor total RNA induce specific immune responses against hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro

AIM: To observe the ability of dendritic cells (DC) vaccine transfected with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) total RNA induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte(CTL) response in vitro. METHODS: DCs generated from HCC patient’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were incubated with recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulationg factor (GM-CSF) and human interleukin (IL-4). Tumor total RNA was isolated from Hep G-2 cells and HCC cells. DCs transfected with tumor total RNA were used to induce specific CTL proliferation. Specific cytotoxicity was measured using MTT method. RESULTS: DC transfected with HepG-2 cell RNA and HCC RNA exhibited increased expression of CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR. The CTL from DCs transfected with HepG-2 cell RNA killed 5.84％， 14.26％， 25.19％, or 35.78％ of HepG-2 cells, and 5.26％， 11.67％， 14.68％, or 23.24％ of HCC cells, respectively, at an E/T ratio of 2.5, 5, 10, or 20. The CTL from DCs transfected with HCC cells RNA killed 4.65％， 12.23％， 15.61％, or 19.15％ of HepG-2 cells, and 7.20％， 12.83％， 27.21％, or 31.15％ of HCC cells,respectively, at an E/T ratio of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20. These CTL did not kill allogeneic malignant cells as human gastric carcinoma cells SGC-7901. CONCLUSION: DC transfected with tumor-derived total RNA could induce specific antitumor immune CTL response. These results suggest that CTL generation is applicable to adoptive immunotherapy of HCC.     

OK-432 enhances the effect of umbilical cord blood dendritic-cells treated with gastric cancer tumor vaccine

AIM: To evaluate the effect of replacing fetal cattle serum with umbilical cord plasma and application of OK-432 on dendritic cells from umbilical cord blood in vitro so as to offer a new technical way of preparation high-powered dendritic-cell-based vaccines for the cancer immunotherapy.METHODS: Human cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) were cultured in RPMI-1640 containing 10% autologous plasma,GM-CSF and IL-4,some of which were supplemented with tumor lysates and/ or OK-432.MTT assay was applied to measure the antigen presenting ability of DCs in allo-MLR.Killing rates of autologous T lymphocytes induced by DCs on different target cells were measured by LDH method.RESULTS: Cells appeared typical morphology of DCs after culture and the allo-stimulate capacity of DCs and the CTL response in vitro were enhanced by treating with tumor lysates and OK-432.CONCLUSION: Mature DCs can be induced from human CBMCs by this means with fewer cytokines and less time.The tumor lysate antigens are captured by DCs treated with tumor lysates and OK-432,and presented to lymphocytes successfully,indicating a new way to develop dendritic-cell-based vaccines for clinical immunotherapy of gastric cancer and other tumors.     

The in vitro immune effects of dendritoma formed by mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells and lymphotactin gene modified dendritic cells

AIM: To investigate the in vitro antitumor immune responses of dendritoma formed by mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells and lymphotactin gene modified dendritic cells (DCs). METHODS: DCs prepared from mouse bone marrow were genetically modified by lymphotactin adenovirus, and fused with H22 cells by polyethylene glycol. RT-PCR and ELISA were employed to identify lymphotactin expression at mRNA and protein levels. The phenotypes and fusion efficiency were detected by FACS. The stimulatory capacity of DC to T cells was detected by mixed leukocyte reaction. The cytotoxicity activity against H22 cells was assayed by LDH method. RESULTS: Lymphotactin effectively expressed by DCLptn/H22 hybridoma. DCLptn/H22 cells induced potent T cell proliferation effect and generated strong CTL reaction against allogenic H22 cells. CONCLUSION: Lymphotactin genetic modification enhanced the in vitro immune activity of dendritoma.     

Effect of injecting immature dendritic cell intratumorally after microwave ablation under different temperature on the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes

AIM: To investigate whether the injection of immature dendritic cell (iDC) after ablation induce and upregulate tumor specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL).METHODS: The model of hepatoma was established and the tumors were ablated with microwave under (45±2) ℃, (50±2) ℃, (55±2) ℃, (60±2) ℃ and void ablation, after which the bone marrow derived iDC was injected intratumorally. The activity of CTL was detected, and the levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 secreted by activated spleic lymphocytes were measured.RESULTS: Compared with iDC injection intratumorally after the ablation of (45±2) ℃, (55±2) ℃, (60±2) ℃ and void ablation, the cytotoxic effect of CTL towards Hepa l-6 was heightened by injecting iDC intratumorally 72 hours after ablation of (50±2) ℃ (P<0.05), so was the secretion of IFN-γ (P<0.05). The level of IL-4 decreased after ablation of (50±2) ℃ subsequently with injecting iDC intratumorally (P<0.05). The cytotoxic effect of CTL towards Hepa l-6 was higher than that towards B16 lymphadenoma cell after iDC injection intratumorally and ablation of (50±2) ℃ and (55±2) ℃ (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Thermal ablation of (50-55) ℃ and subsequent injection of iDC intratumorally may induce tumor specific CTL by the way of promoting the antigenicity of ablated tumor tissue and augmenting the presentation of TAA to effector cells.     

Role of TRAF6 in maturation of human PBMC-derived dendritic cells

AIM: To investigate the immunological effect of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) on the maturation of dendritic cells in vitro.METHODS: The human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived dendritic cells (DCs), induced by recombined human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4, were stimulated to mature with TNF-α, LPS or cocktail of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and PGE₂).The cell surface markers, T-cell stimulatory proliferation capacity and IL-12 p40 production of the DCs were determined by the methods of flow cytometry, ELISA and mixed lymphocyte reation (MLR), respectively.The mRNA expression of TRAF6 was detected by real-time PCR.RESULTS: The expression of TRAF6 was observed in all groups, which in cocktail group was the highest in the DCs with optimum state of maturation.Furthermore, TRAF6 enhanced the production of IL-12 and the ability of T-cell stimulation of mature DCs.CONCLUSION: TRAF6 might play an important role in inducing the maturation of human PBMC-derived DCs.     

Homoharringtonine and interferon α-2b promote maturation of leukemic dendritic cells derived from K562/A02 cells

AIM: To study the maturational effect of homoharringtonine (HHT) and interferon α-2b on leukemia-derived dendritic cells(DCs). METHODS: Cytokines rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4 were added into the leukemia cells K562/A02. After 7 d induction, the cell-morphology was observed with the inverted microscope, the immunophenotype of cells was detected by flow cytometry and the cell function was evaluated by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions, CTL responses and secretion of IL-12. Then homoharringtonine, interferon α-2b and homoharringtonine+interferon α-2b were added to these leukemia-derived DCs. Three days later, the DCs were redetected by the above-mentioned methods.RESULTS: After induced by homoharringtonine and interferon α-2b, the leukemia-derived DCs with typical dendritic morphology were increased. The expressions of CD83, HLA-DR and CD86 were (65.50±8.40)%, (32.00±4.32)% and (18.65±3.20)% respectively in 7 d leukemia-derived DCs, raised to (85.36±8.42)%, (39.58±7.68)% and (35.53±4.35)% respectively after exposing to homoharringtonine for 3 d, and increased to (87.15±7.59)%, (40.53±6.30)% and (38.45±6.42)% respectively after treated by interferon α-2b; and further increased to (94.38±6.59)%, (52.75±8.51)% and (42.98±9.87) % respectively after treated by homoharringtonine+interferon α-2b. These results were markedly different from unaffected cells. These DCs induced by HHT and interferon α-2b were upregulated significantly the capacity for stimulating allogeneic T cells. They also induced CTL to generate specific cytotoxic activity against K562/A02 cells and there was the strongest effect when the ratio of effector and targetor was 20∶1. The secretion of IL-12 was increased remarkably.CONCLUSION: Homoharringtonine and interferon α-2b induce the maturation of the leukemia-derived DCs and there is the strongest function when homoharringtonine cooperates with interferon α-2b.     

A dynamic observation on the levels of TNF-α、IL-6 and IFN-γ produced by human dendritic cells infected with Dengue virus

AIM: To study the dynamic levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and gamma interferon （IFN-γ） produced by human dendritic cells infected with Dengue virus. METHODS: Monocytes isolated from healthy human peripheral blood were incubated in medium with GM-CSF and IL-4 for more than 7 days. DCs were then collected and identified by scanning electron microscope, immunohistochemistry and lymphocytes stimulatory ability. Human dendritic cells （DC) were infected with Dengue-2 virus (DV-2) in vitro， culture supernatants were collected in different time postinfection (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h)， DV antigen in human dendritic cells were demonstrated by an indirect immunofluorescent assay （IFA）, production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ in the culture supernatants were evaluated by ELISA. RESULTS: After 7 days, typical dendritic cells could be obtained. Virus antigen were detected in infected DC by IFA. Dengue virus induces TNF-α and IL-6 secretion from DC and does not induce IFN secretion. CONCLUSION: Human dendritic cells are target of dengue virus infection. TNF-α， IL-6 production from DC are increased with DV infection. Dendritic cells may play an important role in DV pathogenicity and immunity.     

Effect of heat shock protein on dendritic cell maturation

AIM: To study the effect of heat shock protein (HSP) on the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and observe the morphological changes of DCs dynamically. METHODS: The HSP (gp96)-peptide complex was purified from the tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatoma cells were treated by heat shock for preparation of the HSP expressed on cell surface and then marked with DiI fluorescence. Immature DCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cocultured with two types of HSPs. The morphological changes of DCs were observed dynamically and the effects of HSPs on the maturation of DCs analyzed by Flowcytometer. RESULTS: The morphological changes and the processes of antigen capture of DCs cocultured with DiI marked tumor cells were well showed. Four ways to capture antigens of DCs were observed, including direct contact, besieging, forming bubbles and extending pseudopodia with bubbles on the terminals. Results also indicated that both types of HSP could promote the maturation of DCs. CONCLUSION: DiI is a good fluorescent dye suitable for the morphological studies of DCs. Four ways for DCs to capture antigens were indicated in this paper. Different types of HSP, purifed from tumor tissues or expressed on tumor cells surface, promote DC maturation, and the purified HSP is more effective.     

Human dendritic cells transfected with MUC1 mRNA induce lethal effect of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes on non-small cell lung cancer in vitro

AIM：To investigate the specific anti-tumor effects of mature dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with amplified mucin 1 (MUC1) mRNA in vitro. METHODS：DCs separated and purified from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were induced in vitro and then identified by flow cytometry. pcDNA3.1（+）-MUC1 plasmid was constructed and was able to transcribe MUC1 mRNA in vitro. The MUC1 mRNA was transfected into DCs by electroporation. MUC1-transfected DCs were used to induce T cells to be cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to assess MUC1 mRNA expression in transfected DCs. The proliferation of T cells was examined by MTT assay. The proportion of CD8+ cells in the T cells was determined by flow cytometry and the specific cytotoxicity was measured by LDH assay. The secretion of IFN-γ was detected by ELISA. RESULTS：The marker gene expression in the DCs transfected with MUC1 mRNA was significantly increased compared with control group, peaking at 24 h. The transfection group showed the higher capacity to stimulate the proliferation of T cells compared with control group when the ratio of DCs to T cells was 1∶10. The proportion of CD8+ cells in transfection group was higher than that in control group. The lethal effect of special cytotoxic T-lymphocytes on target cells in transfection group was stronger than that in control group. The level of IFN-γ in the cell supernatant of transfection group was higher than that in control group. CONCLUSION：DCs plus MUC1 mRNA by electrical transfection induces specific anti-tumor effects, which provides an experiment evidence of using MUC1 as a target for immunotherapeutic strategy against non-small cell lung cancer.     

Immune function of dendritic cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the immune function of dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). METHODS: The DCs were cultured from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by using GM-CSF and IL-4 for 7 days. Surface molecules CD86, HLA-DR of DCs were detected by flow cytometry. IL-12 production by DCs and IFN-γ production by T cells was measured with ELISA and ELISPOT, respectively. Allogenic mixed lymphocyte reaction was detected by MTT assay. RESULTS: CD86 expression in DCs in HCC patients were markedly lower than that in health control (91.7％ vs 83.5%, P<0.05). IL-12 production by DCs had no significant difference between the HCC patients and the health control ［(324.6±171.0)ng/L vs (436.5±142.7)ng/L, P>0.05］. However, after stimulated DCs with LPS, IL-12 production in HCC patients was significantly lower than that in health control ［(478.6±142.7)ng/L vs (630.0±151.9)ng/L, P<0.05］. IFN-γ production by T cells and T cell proliferation index (PI) in the HCC patients were all significantly lower than those in health control ［(IFN-γ: 133.4±51.2)103U/L vs (183.0±60.2)103U/L, P<0.05; PI: 2.3±0.7 vs 3.5±0.8, P<0.01］. CTL killing activity assay indicated that DC-induced CTL killing activity in HCC group was significantly lower than that in health group when the E/T ratio was 10∶1 and 20∶1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The immune function of DCs and T cells in the patients with HCC are significantly decreased. The CTL killing activity of HCC group is also markedly decreased.     

Effects of B7-1 gene expression on the biological characteristics of hepatocarcinoma cells

AIM:Modification of tumor cells with B7-1 (CD80) costimulatory adhesion molecules has been proposed as a means to develop therapeutic cancer vaccines for use in human immunotherapy.METHODS:Glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored B7-1 was transfered into QK10341 cell membranes with the plasmid of pcDNA3.1(+)/GPI-B7-1 by lipofectamine transfection. Then the GPI-B7-1 protein was isolated and purified from QK10341 cells. The SKOV3 cells incubated with GPI-B7-1 protein resulted in stable incorporation of B7-1 on SKOV3 cell membranes. Expression of B7-1 in tumors by protein transfer created an immunogenic tumor cell that induced antitumor immunity. The growth curve of T cells, the change of Fas (CD95) expression on cell membranes, and level of cytokines secreted from CTL were determined by MTT, FCM, and ELISA, respectively. The cytotoxicity alteration of the CTL was also studied.RESULTS:Compared with SKOV3 cells, B7-1-SKOV3 cells more effectively induced the proliferation of effector lymphocytes and the generation of specific lytic activity (P<0.01). The level of cytokine secretion also increased.CONCLUSION:The costimulation signal of B7-1 is required for the activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes. The B7-1 expression in SKOV3 tumor cells can increase their immunogenicity and induce more effective T lymphocytes activation.     

Influence of Cordyceps sinensis on cytokine profile of dendritic cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary rat model

AIM: To investigate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) on dendritic cells (DCs) in the rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Eighteen Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, COPD group and CS group.The rats in the latter 2 groups were exposed to cigarette smoking for 8 weeks with (CS group) or without (COPD group) CS treatment. The rats in control group were maintained under normal condition. After 8 weeks,the histological changes of the right lung were observed under microscope. The DCs from the 3 groups were harvested and the supernatants of DCs were analyzed for the levels of TNF-α and IL-12 p70 by commercially available ELISA kit. The DCs were then washed and cocultured in vitro with autologous T cells purified by a nylon cotton column. The supernatants of DCs-T coculture were collected after 72 h incubation, and analyzed for the levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by ELISA. RESULTS: Analysis of the rat lung parenchyma revealed a significant decrease in the mean alveolar number, an indicator of alveolar density, in COPD group (38±16) and CS group (48±9) in comparison with control group (62±8). The mean alveolar number tended to be increased in CS group than that in COPD group, although this difference did not achieve statistical significance (P>0.05). The concentrations of TNF-α and IL-12 p70 in the culture supernatants of DCs and IFN-γ in the supernatants of DCs-T cocluture were up-regulated in CS group as compared with those in COPD group and control group (P<0.05). The level of IL-5 in the DCs-T coculture supernatants of the 3 groups did not show differences with statistical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effects of CS on COPD rats may be related to modulation of Th1 and Th2 cell functions. This effect is probably mediated through IL-12 p70 produced by DCs and Th1 cytokine IFN-γ produced by autologous T cells.     

Simultaneous ex vivo generation of cytomegalovirus pp65 and Epstein-Barr virus specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte from human umbilical cord blood

AIM: To investigate the possibility of simultaneously ex vivo generating cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from human umbilical cord blood (CB). METHODS: Mononuclear cell derived from CB (CBMC) was used to construct EBV-transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (BLCL). Then BLCL were transduced with a recombinant retrovirus encoding pp65, the immunodominant CMV polypeptide. CBMC from the same CB donor were stimulated with pp65-expressing BLCL (BLCLpp65) weekly for 5~6 weeks. Chromium release assays (CRA) were performed to detect the specific cytotoxicity of the CTL against EBV and CMV. RESULTS: Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry confirmed that BLCLpp65 could simultaneously express CMVpp65 and EBV antigen. CRA results showed that the generated CTL possessed specific cytotoxic against EBV and CMV, and the cytotoxicity was mediated by CD₈⁺ CTL. CONCLUSION: BLCLpp65 can be used as antigen-presenting cells to stimulate expansion of EBV and CMV specific CTL simultaneously from the predominantly native T cell population in CB.     

Effect of glucocorticoid-treated dendritic cells on asthmatic Th2 response

AIM: To investigate the effect of dexamethasone-treated dendritic cells (DCs) on Th2 cytokine production from autologous T cells in asthmatic patients and explore the mechanisms by studying the effect of dexamethasone on differentiation, maturation and function of DCs from patients with asthma. METHODS: Human peripheral blood monocyte-derived DCs generated from asthmatic patients and healthy subjects were cultured in the absence or presence of dexamethasone. The phenotypic characterization of DCs was analyzed by flow cytometry. The mature DCs were harvested, washed, and then cocultured in vitro with autologous T cells purified by a nylon cotton column. The DC-T coculture supernatants were collected after 72 h incubation and analyzed for levels of IL-5 and IFN-γ by ELISA. RESULTS: The concentrations of IL-5 in the culture supernatants of DC-T coculture were significantly up-regulated in patients with asthma compared with that in healthy controls ［(145.13±89.76) ng/L vs (50.28±22.37) ng/L, P<0.01］. The level of IFN-γ in the DC-T coculture supernatants tended to be decreased in asthmatic patients than that in healthy controls, although this difference did not achieve statistical significance ［(197.58±76.32) ng/L vs (220.46±65.34) ng/L, P>0.05)］. There were significantly decreased levels of IL-5 by autologous T cells primed by dexamethasone-treated mature DCs from asthmatic patients ［(45.39±19.61) ng/L vs (145.13±89.76) ng/L, P<0.01］, alterations not observed from healthy controls (P>0.05). IFN-γ production was decreased by autologous T cells primed by dexamethasone-treated mature DCs from both asthmatic patients and healthy controls ［asthma group: (40.21±22.89) ng/L vs (197.58±76.32) ng/L, P<0.01; healthy controls: (56.78±20.37) ng/L vs (220.46±65.34) ng/L, P<0.01］. Dexamethasone-treated DCs exhibited decreased expression of CD83 (P<0.01) and increased expression of CD14 (P<0.01) in both asthmatic patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: DCs of asthmatic patients induce a Th2-skewed cytokine production from autologous T cells. Dexamethasone-treated DCs inhibit the Th2 reactions, and this effect is probably mediated through the pathway that dexamethasone inhibits DCs maturation and skews the macrophage/DC balance towards the macrophage side and thus directs the development more towards the macrophage lineage.     

Identification of HLA-A2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes from tumor antigen PIWIL2

AIM: To identify the human leucocyte antigen A2 (HLA-A2) restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes from tumor antigen PIWIL2. METHODS: RT-PCR and Western blot was used to determine the expression of PIWIL2 in cancer cell lines MCF-7, SW480 and HT-29. HLA-A2 epitopes from PIWIL2 protein were predicted by the software of BIMAS, RankPep, NetMHC, NetCTL1.2 and IEDB. The peptides were synthesized by standard solid-phase methods. The binding affinity of the peptides to HLA-A2 molecules was evaluated by T2 cells binding assay. ELISPOT assay was used to investigate the levels of IFN-γ. The cytotoxicity assay in vitro was also used to determine the ability of inducing T cell response by the peptides. RESULTS: The expression of PIWIL2 was observed in MCF-7, SW480 and HT-29. The candidate peptide P485, P493 and P965 showed moderate affinity toward HLA-A2 molecule. ELISPOT assay showed P485 and P965 induced CTLs of IFN-γ release form CTLs. The CTLs induced by P485 and P965 lysed the MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSION: The peptides P485 and P965 are excellent HLA-A2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes from the tumor antigen PIWIL2, which could serve as new candidates towards antitumor peptide vaccines.