Chaperone-rich tumor cell lysate-mediated activation of antigen-presenting cells resists regulatory T cell suppression

J Leukoc Biol. 2008 Apr;83(4):1049-59. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0907635. Epub 2008 Jan 3.

Abstract

CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) critically contribute to the mechanisms of cancer-induced tolerance. These cells suppress anti-tumoral CD8(+) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes and can also restrain the function of APCs. We have previously documented the immunostimulatory effects of a chaperone-rich cell lysate (CRCL) anti-cancer vaccine. Tumor-derived CRCL induces tumor immunity in vivo, partly by promoting dendritic cell (DC) and macrophage activation. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of CD4(+)CD25(+)forkhead box P3(+) Tregs isolated from mice bearing 12B1 bcr-abl(+) leukemia on DC and macrophages that had been activated by 12B1-derived CRCL. CRCL-activated DC and macrophages resisted Treg suppression, as the production of proinflammatory cytokines, the activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB, and their immunostimulatory potential was unaffected by Tregs. Our results thus highlight CRCL as a powerful adjuvant endowed with the capacity to overcome tumor-induced Treg-inhibitory effects on APCs.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Leukemia, Experimental / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocyte Depletion
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • NF-kappa B