1
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Søndergaard JN, van Heeringen SJ, Looman MWG, Tang C, Triantis V, Louche P, Janssen-Megens EM, Sieuwerts AM, Martens JWM, Logie C, Stunnenberg HG, Ansems M, Adema GJ. Dendritic Cells Actively Limit Interleukin-10 Production Under Inflammatory Conditions via DC-SCRIPT and Dual-Specificity Phosphatase 4. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1420. [PMID: 29988341 PMCID: PMC6023963 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy makes use of the DC’s ability to direct the adaptive immune response toward activation or inhibition. DCs perform this immune orchestration in part by secretion of selected cytokines. The most potent anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) is under tight regulation, as it needs to be predominantly expressed during the resolution phase of the immune response. Currently it is not clear whether there is active suppression of IL-10 by DCs at the initial pro-inflammatory stage of the immune response. Previously, knockdown of the DC-specific transcription factor DC-SCRIPT has been demonstrated to mediate an extensive increase in IL-10 production upon encounter with pro-inflammatory immune stimuli. Here, we explored how DC-SCRIPT contributes to IL-10 suppression under pro-inflammatory conditions by applying chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis of DC-SCRIPT and the epigenetic marks H3K4me3 and H3K27ac in human DCs. The data showed binding of DC-SCRIPT to a GA-rich motif at H3K27ac-marked genomic enhancers that associated with genes encoding MAPK dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs). Functional studies revealed that upon knockdown of DC-SCRIPT, human DCs express much less DUSP4 and exhibit increased phosphorylation of the three major MAPKs (ERK, JNK, and p38). Enhanced ERK signaling in DC-SCRIPT-knockdown-DCs led to higher production of IL-10, which was reverted by rescuing DUSP4 expression. Finally, DC-SCRIPT-knockdown-DCs induced less IFN-γ and increased IL-10 production in naïve T cells, indicative for a more anti-inflammatory phenotype. In conclusion, we have delineated a new mechanism by which DC-SCRIPT allows DCs to limit IL-10 production under inflammatory conditions and potentiate pro-inflammatory Th1 responses. These insights may be exploited to improve DC-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Nørskov Søndergaard
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Simon J van Heeringen
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Maaike W G Looman
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Chunling Tang
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Vassilis Triantis
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Pauline Louche
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Eva M Janssen-Megens
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculties of Science and Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Anieta M Sieuwerts
- Department of Medical Oncology and Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - John W M Martens
- Department of Medical Oncology and Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Colin Logie
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculties of Science and Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Hendrik G Stunnenberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculties of Science and Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marleen Ansems
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Gosse J Adema
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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2
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Batich KA, Swartz AM, Sampson JH. Preconditioning Vaccine Sites for mRNA-Transfected Dendritic Cell Therapy and Antitumor Efficacy. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1403:819-38. [PMID: 27076169 PMCID: PMC5527123 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3387-7_47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA)-transfected dendritic cell (DC) vaccines have been shown to be a powerful modality for eliciting antitumor immune responses in mice and humans; however, their application has not been fully optimized since many of the factors that contribute to their efficacy remain poorly understood. Work stemming from our laboratory has recently demonstrated that preconditioning the vaccine site with a recall antigen prior to the administration of a dendritic cell vaccine creates systemic recall responses and resultantly enhances dendritic cell migration to the lymph nodes with improved antitumor efficacy. This chapter describes the generation of murine mRNA-transfected DC vaccines, as well as a method for vaccine site preconditioning with protein antigen formulations that create potent recall responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Batich
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3050, 303 Research Drive, 220 Sands Building, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Adam M Swartz
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3050, 303 Research Drive, 220 Sands Building, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John H Sampson
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3050, 303 Research Drive, 220 Sands Building, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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3
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Bol KF, Figdor CG, Aarntzen EHJG, Welzen MEB, van Rossum MM, Blokx WAM, van de Rakt MWMM, Scharenborg NM, de Boer AJ, Pots JM, olde Nordkamp MAM, van Oorschot TGM, Mus RDM, Croockewit SAJ, Jacobs JFM, Schuler G, Neyns B, Austyn JM, Punt CJA, Schreibelt G, de Vries IJM. Intranodal vaccination with mRNA-optimized dendritic cells in metastatic melanoma patients. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1019197. [PMID: 26405571 PMCID: PMC4570143 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1019197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Autologous dendritic cell (DC) therapy is an experimental cellular immunotherapy that is safe and immunogenic in patients with advanced melanoma. In an attempt to further improve the therapeutic responses, we treated 15 patients with melanoma, with autologous monocyte-derived immature DC electroporated with mRNA encoding CD40 ligand (CD40L), CD70 and a constitutively active TLR4 (caTLR4) together with mRNA encoding a tumor-associated antigen (TAA; respectively gp100 or tyrosinase). In addition, DC were pulsed with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) that served as a control antigen. Production of this DC vaccine with high cellular viability, high expression of co-stimulatory molecules and MHC class I and II and production of IL-12p70, was feasible in all patients. A vaccination cycle consisting of three vaccinations with up to 15×106 DC per vaccination at a biweekly interval, was repeated after 6 and 12 months in the absence of disease progression. mRNA-optimized DC were injected intranodally, because of low CCR7 expression on the DC, and induced de novo immune responses against control antigen. T cell responses against tyrosinase were detected in the skin-test infiltrating lymphocytes (SKIL) of two patients. One mixed tumor response and two durable tumor stabilizations were observed among 8 patients with evaluable disease at baseline. In conclusion, autologous mRNA-optimized DC can be safely administered intranodally to patients with metastatic melanoma but showed limited immunological responses against tyrosinase and gp100.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalijn F Bol
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Medical Oncology; Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carl G Figdor
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik HJG Aarntzen
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine; Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke EB Welzen
- Pharmacy; Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Willeke AM Blokx
- Pathology; Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mandy WMM van de Rakt
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole M Scharenborg
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek J de Boer
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanette M Pots
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michel AM olde Nordkamp
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom GM van Oorschot
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roel DM Mus
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine; Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Joannes FM Jacobs
- Laboratory Medicine; Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology; University Hospital Erlangen; Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bart Neyns
- Department of Medical Oncology; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jonathan M Austyn
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences; John Radcliffe Hospital; University of Oxford; Oxford, UK
| | - Cornelis JA Punt
- Department of Medical Oncology; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerty Schreibelt
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology (Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences); Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Medical Oncology; Radboud university medical centre; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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4
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Søndergaard JN, Poghosyan S, Hontelez S, Louche P, Looman MWG, Ansems M, Adema GJ. DC-SCRIPT Regulates IL-10 Production in Human Dendritic Cells by Modulating NF-κBp65 Activation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:1498-505. [PMID: 26170389 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The balance between tolerance and immunity is important for the outcome of an infection or cancer, and dendritic cells (DCs) are key regulators of this balance. DC-specific transcript (DC-SCRIPT) is a protein expressed by DCs and has been demonstrated to suppress both TLR-mediated expression of IL-10 and glucocorticoid receptor-mediated transcription of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ). Because GILZ is known to promote IL-10 production, we investigated whether these two processes are linked. Dual-knockdown and inhibition experiments demonstrated that neither GILZ nor glucocorticoid receptor play a role in TLR-induced IL-10 production after DC-SCRIPT knockdown. The NF-κB pathway is another route involved in IL-10 production after DC activation. Strikingly, inhibition of NF-κB led to a decreased TLR-mediated IL-10 production in DC-SCRIPT knockdown DCs. Moreover, DC-SCRIPT knockdown DCs showed enhanced phosphorylation, acetylation, and IL10 enhancer binding of the NF-κB subunit p65. These data demonstrate that besides nuclear receptor regulation, DC-SCRIPT also modulates activation of NF-κBp65 after TLR activation in human DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Nørskov Søndergaard
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Susanna Poghosyan
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Saartje Hontelez
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Pauline Louche
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike W G Looman
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marleen Ansems
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Gosse J Adema
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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5
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Bol KF, Aarntzen EHJG, Hout FEMI', Schreibelt G, Creemers JHA, Lesterhuis WJ, Gerritsen WR, Grunhagen DJ, Verhoef C, Punt CJA, Bonenkamp JJ, de Wilt JHW, Figdor CG, de Vries IJM. Favorable overall survival in stage III melanoma patients after adjuvant dendritic cell vaccination. Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1057673. [PMID: 26942068 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1057673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma patients with regional metastatic disease are at high risk for recurrence and metastatic disease, despite radical lymph node dissection (RLND). We investigated the immunologic response and clinical outcome to adjuvant dendritic cell (DC) vaccination in melanoma patients with regional metastatic disease who underwent RLND with curative intent. In this retrospective study, 78 melanoma patients with regional lymph node metastasis who underwent RLND received autologous DCs loaded with gp100 and tyrosinase and were analyzed for functional tumor-specific T cell responses in skin-test infiltrating lymphocytes. The study shows that adjuvant DC vaccination in melanoma patients with regional lymph node metastasis is safe and induced functional tumor-specific T cell responses in 71% of the patients. The presence of functional tumor-specific T cells was correlated with a better 2-year overall survival (OS) rate. OS was significantly higher after adjuvant DC vaccination compared to 209 matched controls who underwent RLND without adjuvant DC vaccination, 63.6 mo vs. 31.0 mo (p = 0.018; hazard ratio 0.59; 95%CI 0.42-0.84). Five-year survival rate increased from 38% to 53% (p < 0.01). In summary, in melanoma patients with regional metastatic disease, who are at high risk for recurrence and metastatic disease after RLND, adjuvant DC vaccination is well tolerated. It induced functional tumor-specific immune responses in the majority of patients and these were related to clinical outcome. OS was significantly higher compared to matched controls. A randomized clinical trial is needed to prospectively validate the efficacy of DC vaccination in the adjuvant setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalijn F Bol
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H J G Aarntzen
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Florentien E M In 't Hout
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Surgical Oncology; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerty Schreibelt
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Medical Center ; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen H A Creemers
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Medical Center ; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W Joost Lesterhuis
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Medicine and Pharmacology; University of Western Australia; Crawley, Australia
| | - Winald R Gerritsen
- Department of Medical Oncology; Radboud University Medical Center ; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J Grunhagen
- Department Surgical Oncology; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute ; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Verhoef
- Department Surgical Oncology; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute ; Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J A Punt
- Department of Medical Oncology; Academic Medical Center ; Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes J Bonenkamp
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Radboud University Medical Center ; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes H W de Wilt
- Department of Surgical Oncology; Radboud University Medical Center ; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carl G Figdor
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Medical Center ; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology; Radboud University Medical Center; Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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6
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Benteyn D, Heirman C, Bonehill A, Thielemans K, Breckpot K. mRNA-based dendritic cell vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 14:161-76. [PMID: 25196947 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2014.957684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has been proposed as a powerful treatment modality. Active immunotherapy aspires to stimulate the patient's immune system, particularly T cells. These cells can recognize and kill cancer cells and can form an immunological memory. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the professional antigen-presenting cells of our immune system. They take up and process antigens to present them to T cells. Consequently, DCs have been investigated as a means to stimulate cancer-specific T-cell responses. An efficient strategy to program DCs is the use of mRNA, a well-defined and safe molecule that can be easily generated at high purity. Importantly, vaccines consisting of mRNA-modified DCs showed promising results in clinical trials. Therefore, we will introduce cancer immunotherapy and DCs and give a detailed overview on the application of mRNA to generate cancer-fighting DC vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphné Benteyn
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Jette, Belgium
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7
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Shindo Y, Hazama S, Maeda Y, Matsui H, Iida M, Suzuki N, Yoshimura K, Ueno T, Yoshino S, Sakai K, Suehiro Y, Yamasaki T, Hinoda Y, Oka M. Adoptive immunotherapy with MUC1-mRNA transfected dendritic cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes plus gemcitabine for unresectable pancreatic cancer. J Transl Med 2014; 12:175. [PMID: 24947606 PMCID: PMC4074851 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-12-175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We previously reported the clinical efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy (AIT) with dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with mucin 1 (MUC1) peptide and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). We also reported that gemcitabine (GEM) enhances anti-tumor immunity by suppressing regulatory T cells. Therefore, in the present study, we performed combination therapy with AIT and GEM for patients with unresectable or recurrent pancreatic cancer. Patients and methods Forty-two patients with unresectable or recurrent pancreatic cancer were treated. DCs were generated by culture with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 and then exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α. Mature DCs were transfected with MUC1-mRNA by electroporation (MUC1-DCs). MUC1-CTLs were induced by co-culture with YPK-1, a human pancreatic cancer cell line, and then with interleukin-2. Patients were treated with GEM, while MUC1-DCs were intradermally injected, and MUC1-CTLs were intravenously administered. Results Median survival time (MST) was 13.9 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 51.1%. Of 42 patients, one patient had complete response (2.4%), three patients had partial response (7.1%) and 22 patients had stable disease (52.4%). The disease control ratio was 61.9%. The MST and 1-year survival rate of 35 patients who received more than 1 × 107 MUC1-DCs per injection was 16.1 months and 60.3%, respectively. Liver metastasis occurred in only 5 patients among 35 patients without liver metastasis before treatment. There were no severe toxicities associated with AIT. Conclusion AIT with MUC1-DCs and MUC1-CTLs plus GEM may be a feasible and effective treatment for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Masaaki Oka
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology (Department of Surgery II), Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan.
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8
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Rescigno M. Plasmacytoid DCs are gentle guardians of tonsillar epithelium. Eur J Immunol 2013; 43:1142-6. [PMID: 23616114 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The outcome of the interaction between plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and bacteria has been very controversial: pDCs have been reported not to be activated by extracellular bacteria, to be activated but to only produce TNF-α and IL-6, or to be activated and produce IFN-α, the hallmark of pDC activation, but only if the bacteria have first been opsonized. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Soumelis and colleagues [Eur. J. Immunol. 2013. 43: 1264-1273] unequivocally show that both blood and tonsillar pDCs are fully activated by bacteria and can produce IFN-α. They also show that pDCs are found in the stratified mucosal epithelium in human tonsils, and are "educated" by tonsillar epithelial cells not to release inflammatory cytokines, despite still being capable of activating T cells, albeit with no impact on T-cell polarization. Hence, pDCs can respond to bacteria but can be educated by epithelial cells to remain anergic to potential inflammatory signals. These findings support a mechanism by which intraepithelial pDCs, which are exposed to the microbiota colonizing the upper respiratory tract, remain capable of initiating immunity without overreacting to microbial stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rescigno
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
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9
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Schreibelt G, Bol KF, Aarntzen EH, Gerritsen WR, Punt CJ, Figdor CG, de Vries IJM. Importance of helper T-cell activation in dendritic cell-based anticancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2013; 2:e24440. [PMID: 23894702 PMCID: PMC3716737 DOI: 10.4161/onci.24440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell-based anticancer immunotherapy is feasible, safe and results in the induction of tumor-specific immune responses, at least in a fraction of vaccinated patients. The concomitant activation of cytotoxic and helper T cells, by loading DCs with peptides or electroporating them with the corresponding mRNAs, may further enhance vaccine-induced antitumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerty Schreibelt
- Department of Tumor Immunology; Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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10
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Hontelez S, Karthaus N, Looman MW, Ansems M, Adema GJ. DC-SCRIPT regulates glucocorticoid receptor function and expression of its target GILZ in dendritic cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:3172-9. [PMID: 23440419 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in the immune system; they can induce immunity or tolerance depending on diverse factors in the DC environment. Pathogens, but also tissue damage, hormones, and vitamins, affect DC activation and maturation. In particular, glucocorticoids (GCs) are known for their immunosuppressive effect on DCs, creating tolerogenic DCs. GCs activate the type I nuclear receptor (NR) glucocorticoid receptor (GR), followed by induced expression of the transcription factor glucocorticoid-inducible leucine zipper (GILZ). GILZ has been shown to be necessary and sufficient for GC-induced tolerogenic DC generation. Recently, we have identified the DC-specific transcript (DC-SCRIPT) as an NR coregulator, suppressing type I steroid NRs estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. In this study, we analyzed the effect of DC-SCRIPT on GR activity. We demonstrate that DC-SCRIPT coexists with GR in protein complexes and functions as a corepressor of GR-mediated transcription. Coexpression of DC-SCRIPT and GR is shown in human monocyte-derived DCs, and DC-SCRIPT knockdown enhances GR-dependent upregulation of GILZ mRNA expression in DCs. This demonstrates that DC-SCRIPT serves an important role in regulating GR function in DCs, corepressing GR-dependent upregulation of the tolerance-inducing transcription factor GILZ. These data imply that by controlling GR function and GILZ expression DC-SCRIPT is potentially involved in the balance between tolerance and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saartje Hontelez
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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11
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Aarntzen EHJG, Schreibelt G, Bol K, Lesterhuis WJ, Croockewit AJ, de Wilt JHW, van Rossum MM, Blokx WAM, Jacobs JFM, Duiveman-de Boer T, Schuurhuis DH, Mus R, Thielemans K, de Vries IJM, Figdor CG, Punt CJA, Adema GJ. Vaccination with mRNA-electroporated dendritic cells induces robust tumor antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responses in stage III and IV melanoma patients. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:5460-70. [PMID: 22896657 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-3368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Electroporation of dendritic cells (DC) with mRNA encoding tumor-associated antigens (TAA) has multiple advantages compared to peptide loading. We investigated the immunologic and clinical responses to vaccination with mRNA-electroporated DC in stage III and IV melanoma patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Twenty-six stage III HLA*02:01 melanoma patients scheduled for radical lymph node dissection (stage III) and 19 melanoma patients with irresectable locoregional or distant metastatic disease (referred to as stage IV) were included. Monocyte-derived DC, electroporated with mRNA encoding gp100 and tyrosinase, were pulsed with keyhole limpet hemocyanin and administered intranodally. TAA-specific T-cell responses were monitored in blood and skin-test infiltrating lymphocyte (SKIL) cultures. RESULTS Comparable numbers of vaccine-induced CD8(+) and/or CD4(+) TAA-specific T-cell responses were detected in SKIL cultures; 17/26 stage III patients and 11/19 stage IV patients. Strikingly, in this population, TAA-specific CD8(+) T cells that recognize multiple epitopes and produce elevated levels of IFNγ upon antigenic challenge in vitro, were significantly more often observed in stage III patients; 15/17 versus 3/11 stage IV patients, P = 0.0033. In stage IV patients, one mixed and one partial response were documented. The presence or absence of IFNγ-producing TAA-specific CD8(+) T cells in stage IV patients was associated with marked difference in median overall survival of 24.1 months versus 11.0 months, respectively. CONCLUSION Vaccination with mRNA-electroporated DC induces a broad repertoire of IFNγ producing TAA-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-cell responses, particularly in stage III melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik H J G Aarntzen
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Hontelez S, Ansems M, Karthaus N, Zuidscherwoude M, Looman MW, Triantis V, Adema GJ. Dendritic cell-specific transcript: dendritic cell marker and regulator of TLR-induced cytokine production. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 189:138-45. [PMID: 22615205 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are the professional APCs of the immune system that dictate the type and course of an immune response. Molecular understanding of DC biology is important for the design of DC-based immunotherapies and optimal clinical applications in vaccination settings. Previously, we isolated and characterized the cDNA-encoding dendritic cell-specific transcript (DC-SCRIPT; also known as ZNF366). DC-SCRIPT mRNA expression in the immune system was confined to DCs and was reported to be an early hallmark of DC differentiation. In this study, we demonstrate IL-4 to be the dominant factor for DC-SCRIPT expression in human monocyte-derived DCs. In addition, to our knowledge, we show for the first time endogenous DC-SCRIPT protein expression in human DCs both in vitro and in situ. DC-SCRIPT protein is detected early upon differentiation of monocytes into DCs and is also present in multiple freshly isolated DC subsets. Maturation of DCs with TLR ligands further increased DC-SCRIPT mRNA expression, suggesting a role in DC maturation. Indeed, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of DC-SCRIPT affected the cytokine response upon TLR stimulation. These DCs displayed enhanced IL-10 and decreased IL-12 production, compared with wild-type DCs. Silencing of IL-10 in DC-SCRIPT knockdown DCs rescued IL-12 expression, suggesting a primary role for DC-SCRIPT in the regulation of IL-10 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saartje Hontelez
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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13
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Fučíková J, Rožková D, Ulčová H, Budinský V, Sochorová K, Pokorná K, Bartůňková J, Špíšek R. Poly I: C-activated dendritic cells that were generated in CellGro for use in cancer immunotherapy trials. J Transl Med 2011; 9:223. [PMID: 22208910 PMCID: PMC3259090 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For clinical applications, dendritic cells (DCs) need to be generated using GMP-approved reagents. In this study, we tested the characteristics of DCs generated in two clinical grade culture media and activated by three maturation stimuli, Poly I: C, LPS and the mixture of proinflammatory cytokines in order to identify the optimal combination of culture media and activation stimulus for the clinical use. Method We tested DCs generation using two GMP-certified culture media, CellGro and RPMI+5% human AB serum and evaluated DCs morphology, viability and capapability to mature. We tested three maturation stimuli, PolyI:C, LPS and the mixture of proinflammatory cytokines consisting of IL-1, IL-6, TNF and prostaglandin E2. We evaluated the capacity of activated DCs to induce antigen-specific T cells and regulatory T lymphocytes. Results Cell culture in CellGro resulted in a higher yield of immature DCs resulting from increased number of adherent monocytes. DCs that were generated in CellGro and activated using Poly I:C were the most efficient in expanding antigen-specific T cells compared to the DCs that were generated in other media and activated using LPS or the cocktail of proinflammatory cytokines. A comparison of all tested combinations revealed that DCs that were generated in CellGro and activated using Poly I:C induced low numbers of regulatory T cells. Conclusion In this study, we identified monocyte-derived DCs that were generated in CellGro and activated using Poly I:C as the most potent clinical-grade DCs for the induction of antigen-specific T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Fučíková
- Department of Immunology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Castiello L, Sabatino M, Jin P, Clayberger C, Marincola FM, Krensky AM, Stroncek DF. Monocyte-derived DC maturation strategies and related pathways: a transcriptional view. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:457-66. [PMID: 21258790 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-010-0954-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2010] [Accepted: 11/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ex vivo production of highly stimulator mature dendritic cells (DCs) for cellular therapy has been used to treat different pathological conditions with the aim of inducing a specific immune response. In the last decade, several protocols have been developed to mature monocyte-derived DCs: each one has led to the generation of DCs showing different phenotypes and stimulatory abilities, but it is not yet known which one is the best for inducing effective immune responses. We grouped several different maturation protocols according to the downstream pathways they activated and reviewed the shared features at a transcriptomic level to reveal the potential of DCs matured by each protocol to develop Th-polarized immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Castiello
- Cell Processing Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Bonetto F, Srinivas M, Heerschap A, Mailliard R, Ahrens ET, Figdor CG, de Vries IJM. A novel (19)F agent for detection and quantification of human dendritic cells using magnetic resonance imaging. Int J Cancer 2010; 129:365-73. [PMID: 20839261 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2010] [Accepted: 08/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of cell therapeutics in vivo is of major importance to estimate its efficacy. Here, we present a novel intracellular label for (19)F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based cell tracking, which allows for noninvasive, longitudinal cell tracking without the use of radioisotopes. A key advantage of (19)F MRI is that it allows for absolute quantification of cell numbers directly from the MRI data. The (19)F label was tested in primary human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. These cells took up label effectively, resulting in a labeling of 1.7 ± 0.1 × 10(13) (19)F atoms per cell, with a viability of 80 ± 6%, without the need for electroporation or transfection agents. This results in a minimum detection sensitivity of about 2,000 cells/voxel at 7 T, comparable with gadolinium-labeled cells. Comparison of the detection sensitivity of cells labeled with (19)F, iron oxide and gadolinium over typical tissue background showed that unambiguous detection of the (19)F-labeled cells was simpler than with the contrast agents. The effect of the (19)F agent on cell function was minimal in the context of cell-based vaccines. From these data, we calculate that detection of 30,000 cells in vivo at 3 T with a reasonable signal to noise ratio for (19)F images would require less than 30 min with a conventional fast spin echo sequence, given a coil similar to the one used in this study. This is well within acceptable limits for clinical studies, and thus, we conclude that (19)F MRI for quantitative cell tracking in a clinical setting has great potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Bonetto
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Commonly used prophylactic vaccines as an alternative for synthetically produced TLR ligands to mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Blood 2010; 116:564-74. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-11-251884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Currently dendritic cell (DC)–based vaccines are explored in clinical trials, predominantly in cancer patients. Murine studies showed that only maturation with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands generates mature DCs that produce interleukin-12 and promote optimal T-cell help. Unfortunately, the limited availability of clinical-grade TLR ligands significantly hampers the translation of these findings into DC-based vaccines. Therefore, we explored 15 commonly used preventive vaccines as a possible source of TLR ligands. We have identified a cocktail of the vaccines BCG-SSI, Influvac, and Typhim that contains TLR ligands and is capable of optimally maturing DCs. These DCs (vaccine DCs) showed high expression of CD80, CD86, and CD83 and secreted interleukin-12. Although vaccine DCs exhibited an impaired migratory capacity, this could be restored by addition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; vaccine PGE2 DCs). Vaccine PGE2 DCs are potent inducers of T-cell proliferation and induce Th1 polarization. In addition, vaccine PGE2 DCs are potent inducers of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ effector T cells. Finally, vaccine PGE2–induced DC maturation is compatible with different antigen-loading strategies, including RNA electroporation. These data thus identify a new clinical application for a mixture of commonly used preventive vaccines in the generation of Th1-inducing clinical-grade mature DCs.
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Anguille S, Smits ELJM, Cools N, Goossens H, Berneman ZN, Van Tendeloo VFI. Short-term cultured, interleukin-15 differentiated dendritic cells have potent immunostimulatory properties. J Transl Med 2009; 7:109. [PMID: 20021667 PMCID: PMC2807857 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-7-109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Accepted: 12/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Optimization of the current dendritic cell (DC) culture protocol in order to promote the therapeutic efficacy of DC-based immunotherapy is warranted. Alternative differentiation of monocyte-derived DCs using granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-15 has been propagated as an attractive strategy in that regard. The applicability of these so-called IL-15 DCs has not yet been firmly established. We therefore developed a novel pre-clinical approach for the generation of IL-15 DCs with potent immunostimulatory properties. Methods Human CD14+ monocytes were differentiated with GM-CSF and IL-15 into immature DCs. Monocyte-derived DCs, conventionally differentiated in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4, served as control. Subsequent maturation of IL-15 DCs was induced using two clinical grade maturation protocols: (i) a classic combination of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-6, prostaglandin E2) and (ii) a Toll-like receptor (TLR)7/8 agonist-based cocktail (R-848, interferon-γ, TNF-α and prostaglandin E2). In addition, both short-term (2-3 days) and long-term (6-7 days) DC culture protocols were compared. The different DC populations were characterized with respect to their phenotypic profile, migratory properties, cytokine production and T cell stimulation capacity. Results The use of a TLR7/8 agonist-based cocktail resulted in a more optimal maturation of IL-15 DCs, as reflected by the higher phenotypic expression of CD83 and costimulatory molecules (CD70, CD80, CD86). The functional superiority of TLR7/8-activated IL-15 DCs over conventionally matured IL-15 DCs was evidenced by their (i) higher migratory potential, (ii) advantageous cytokine secretion profile (interferon-γ, IL-12p70) and (iii) superior capacity to stimulate autologous, antigen-specific T cell responses after passive peptide pulsing. Aside from a less pronounced production of bioactive IL-12p70, short-term versus long-term culture of TLR7/8-activated IL-15 DCs resulted in a migratory profile and T cell stimulation capacity that was in favour of short-term DC culture. In addition, we demonstrate that mRNA electroporation serves as an efficient antigen loading strategy of IL-15 DCs. Conclusions Here we show that short-term cultured and TLR7/8-activated IL-15 DCs fulfill all pre-clinical prerequisites of immunostimulatory DCs. The results of the present study might pave the way for the implementation of IL-15 DCs in immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Anguille
- University of Antwerp - Faculty of Medicine, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium.
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Schuurhuis DH, Verdijk P, Schreibelt G, Aarntzen EHJG, Scharenborg N, de Boer A, van de Rakt MWMM, Kerkhoff M, Gerritsen MJP, Eijckeler F, Bonenkamp JJ, Blokx W, van Krieken JH, Boerman OC, Oyen WJG, Punt CJA, Figdor CG, Adema GJ, de Vries IJM. In situ expression of tumor antigens by messenger RNA-electroporated dendritic cells in lymph nodes of melanoma patients. Cancer Res 2009; 69:2927-34. [PMID: 19318559 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-3920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation of dendritic cells (DC) with mRNA encoding tumor-associated antigens (TAA) for cancer immunotherapy has been proved efficient and clinically safe. It obviates prior knowledge of CTL and Th epitopes in the antigen and leads to the presentation of multiple epitopes for several HLA alleles. Here we studied the migration capacity and the antigen expression of mRNA-electroporated DC (mRNA-DC) in lymph nodes after vaccination in melanoma patients. DC were electroporated with mRNA encoding gp100 or tyrosinase, labeled with indium-111 and superparamagnetic iron oxide particles, and injected intranodally in melanoma patients 24 to 48 hours before scheduled dissection of regional lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical analysis of the lymph nodes after surgery revealed that mRNA-DC migrated from the injection site into the T-cell areas of the same and subsequent lymph nodes, where they expressed the antigen encoded by the electroporated mRNA. Furthermore, vaccine-related CD8(+) T-cell responses could be detected in 7 of 11 patients vaccinated with mRNA-DC. Together these data show that mature DC electroporated with mRNA encoding TAA migrate and express antigens in the lymph nodes and induce specific immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danita H Schuurhuis
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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