Enhanced effector and memory CTL responses generated by incorporation of receptor activator of NF-kappa B (RANK)/RANK ligand costimulatory molecules into dendritic cell immunogens expressing a human tumor-specific antigen

J Immunol. 2003 Oct 15;171(8):4121-30. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.8.4121.

Abstract

The outcome of dendritic cell (DC) presentation of Ag to T cells via the TCR/MHC synapse is determined by second signaling through CD80/86 and, importantly, by ligation of costimulatory ligands and receptors located at the DC and T cell surfaces. Downstream signaling triggered by costimulatory molecule ligation results in reciprocal DC and T cell activation and survival, which predisposes to enhanced T cell-mediated immune responses. In this study, we used adenoviral vectors to express a model tumor Ag (the E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus 16) with or without coexpression of receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL) or CD40/CD40L costimulatory molecules, and used these transgenic DCs to immunize mice for the generation of E7-directed CD8(+) T cell responses. We show that coexpression of RANK/RANKL, but not CD40/CD40L, in E7-expressing DCs augmented E7-specific IFN-gamma-secreting effector and memory T cells and E7-specific CTLs. These responses were also augmented by coexpression of T cell costimulatory molecules (RANKL and CD40L) or DC costimulatory molecules (RANK and CD40) in the E7-expressing DC immunogens. Augmentation of CTL responses correlated with up-regulation of CD80 and CD86 expression in DCs transduced with costimulatory molecules, suggesting a mechanism for enhanced T cell activation/survival. These results have generic implications for improved tumor Ag-expressing DC vaccines, and specific implications for a DC-based vaccine approach for human papillomavirus 16-associated cervical carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviruses, Human / genetics
  • Adenoviruses, Human / immunology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • B7-1 Antigen / biosynthesis
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CD40 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • CD40 Ligand / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / genetics*
  • DNA, Recombinant / genetics
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / virology
  • Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / genetics*
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / physiology
  • Osteoprotegerin
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics
  • Papillomaviridae / immunology
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • Plasmids
  • RANK Ligand
  • Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / virology
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CD40 Antigens
  • CD86 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Recombinant
  • Glycoproteins
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Osteoprotegerin
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • RANK Ligand
  • Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • TNFRSF11A protein, human
  • TNFRSF11B protein, human
  • TNFSF11 protein, human
  • oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • CD40 Ligand