Both Langerhans cells and interstitial DC cross-present melanoma antigens and efficiently activate antigen-specific CTL

Eur J Immunol. 2007 Sep;37(9):2657-67. doi: 10.1002/eji.200636499.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DC) have a unique capacity to present external antigens to CD8(+) T cells, i.e. cross-presentation. However, it is not fully established whether the ability to cross-presentation is restricted to a unique subset of DC in humans. Here, we show that two major myeloid DC subsets, i.e. Langerhans cells (LC) and interstitial DC (Int-DC), have the ability to cross-present antigens to CD8(+) T cells in vitro. LC and Int-DC were obtained from DC generated by culturing human CD34(+)-hematopoietic progenitor cells with GM-CSF, FLT3-L, and TNF-alpha (CD34-DC). Both DC subsets were able to capture necrotic/apoptotic allogeneic melanoma cells and present antigens to CD8(+) T cells, resulting in efficient priming of naive CD8(+) T cells into CTL capable of killing melanoma cells. Strikingly, a single stimulation with either subset (LC or Int-DC) or total CD34-DC loaded with necrotic/apoptotic melanoma cells was sufficient to activate melanoma-specific memory CD8(+) T cells obtained from patients with metastatic melanoma to become effective CTL. Thus, this study provides the rationale to use CD34-DC loaded with necrotic/apoptotic allogeneic melanoma cells in a clinical trial.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34 / immunology
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Melanoma / immunology*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Antigens, Neoplasm