脾内移植GM-CSF基因转染的胎肝细胞促进化疗后造血损伤恢复的实验研究

胎肝细胞(FLC)悬液富含粒、红系祖细胞,其中造血干细胞(CD34~ )的增殖能力比成年骨髓高3倍,且淋巴细胞含量少,移植物抗宿主(GVHD)反应低下,采用异基因胎肝细胞输注无疑克服了异基因骨髓移植配型不合的并发症.木研究对促进骨髓粒、单系为主的造血前体细胞分化、成熟作用确切的GM-CSF基因通过重组腺病毒转染至小鼠胎肝细胞,脾内移植于大剂量化疗后的同种异基因小鼠体内,观察了这种GM-CSF基因疗法对造血功能恢复的影响.     

IL-3基因修饰的骨髓基质细胞辅助大剂量化疗后造血功能恢复

为研究基因治疗在造血功能损伤后恢复中的应用,本课题以携带小鼠IL-3基因的复制缺陷型重组腺病毒载体转染骨髓基质细胞,对大剂量化疗后的小鼠进行脾内移植观察造血功能的恢复情况.结果表明,缺陷型腺病毒载体能有效地转染小鼠原代骨髓基质细胞,转染效率在80%以上(MOI=10);基因修饰的骨髓基质细胞体外分泌IL-3的水平可达110U/ml/10~6细胞/24小时;在大剂量环磷酰胺治疗后脾内移植IL-3基因修饰的基质细胞能有效地升高实验小鼠外周血白细胞总数;病理检测发现IL-3基因修饰的基质细胞治疗组小鼠脾脏和骨髓中细胞增生较其它组明显活跃;经IL-3基因修饰的基质细胞治疗组小鼠脾淋巴细胞对ConA反应明显增强.结果提示IL-3基因修饰的骨髓基质细胞体内移植对大剂量化疗后机体造血与免疫功能的恢复都有较好的促进作用.     

局部注射小鼠白细胞介素12逆转录病毒包装细胞对大鼠肝癌的治疗

目的:研究低剂量环磷酸胺(Cy)联合MHC Ⅰ类限制性肿瘤抗原多肽Mutl致敏、白细胞介素2(IL-2)基因修饰的树突状细胞(DCs)对转移性肺癌小鼠的治疗作用及其免疫学机理.方法:制备小鼠骨髓来源的DCs,用转移性Lewis肺癌特异性多肽Mutl预激经IL-2基因修饰的DCs联合低剂量Cy治疗转移性肺癌小鼠.通过FACS分析其脾细胞内T淋巴细胞比例的变化,~51Cr释放法检测CTL和NK细胞杀伤活性.结果:肿瘤抗原多肽致敏、IL-2基因修饰的DCs与小剂量Cy联合后,能比单用DCs更有效地治疗转移性肺癌,小鼠脾细胞中CD8~ T细胞和NK1.1~ 细胞明显比例升高,联合治疗组诱导出的CTL杀伤活性最高.结论:以肿瘤抗原多肽冲击致敏的IL-2基因修饰的DCs联合小剂量Cy能更有效地促进荷瘤宿主免疫应答,具有显著地体内抑制肺癌转移的效果.     

低剂量环磷酰胺增强MHCⅠ类限制性肿瘤抗原多肽冲击致敏的树突状细胞的抗肿瘤转移效果

目的:研究低剂量环磷酸胺(Cy)联合MHC Ⅰ类限制性肿瘤抗原多肽Mutl致敏、白细胞介素2(IL-2)基因修饰的树突状细胞(DCs)对转移性肺癌小鼠的治疗作用及其免疫学机理.方法:制备小鼠骨髓来源的DCs,用转移性Lewis肺癌特异性多肽Mutl预激经IL-2基因修饰的DCs联合低剂量Cy治疗转移性肺癌小鼠.通过FACS分析其脾细胞内T淋巴细胞比例的变化,~51Cr释放法检测CTL和NK细胞杀伤活性.结果:肿瘤抗原多肽致敏、IL-2基因修饰的DCs与小剂量Cy联合后,能比单用DCs更有效地治疗转移性肺癌,小鼠脾细胞中CD8~+T细胞和NK1.1~+细胞明显比例升高,联合治疗组诱导出的CTL杀伤活性最高.结论:以肿瘤抗原多肽冲击致敏的IL-2基因修饰的DCs联合小剂量Cy能更有效地促进荷瘤宿主免疫应答,具有显著地体内抑制肺癌转移的效果.     

基因修饰胎肝细胞经不同途径移植后体内分布的比较研究

肝脏是肿瘤的好发部位,而肿瘤化疗引起的骨髓抑制又是化疗的最大障碍.借鉴临床配合肿瘤化疗施行胎肝细胞(FLC)输注获得良好效果(提高机体免疫力,减少感染等并发症和延长病人存活期)的经验,凭借FLC所具有的成熟淋巴细胞含量低(<1%)和对外源基因转染较成年骨髓细胞更加敏感(约高100倍)的独特优势,使研究GM-CSF基因修饰的FLC辅助肿瘤化疗后免疫和造血功能的恢复成为可能.     

大黄制剂对小鼠的急性毒性和自然免疫调节作用

背景与目的探讨大黄煎剂对小鼠的急性毒性和自然免疫功能的影响。材料与方法经LD50预试验后,根据LD50试验的结果取健康昆明种小鼠40只,设置0.9%盐水阴性对照组及3个不同剂量土大黄煎剂组(5000、2500、1000mg/kg),按,1次/d给药,连续灌胃10d后,分别测定小鼠的外周静脉血红细胞免疫黏附活性、NK细胞的杀伤活性、补体的总活性及脾细胞的增殖反应。结果小鼠对大黄煎剂的LD50为8043mg/kg。不同剂量药物连续灌胃10d后,可明显提高小鼠NK细胞的杀伤活性,与盐水对照组相比差别有统计学意义(P<0.05);并能增强PHA诱导的脾细胞增殖反应能力,随药物的剂量增大,增殖反应能力越增强;5000mg/kg和2500mg/kg两个剂量组与对照组相比,补体总活性较盐水对照组降低,红细胞免疫黏附功能增强,差别有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论大黄煎剂具有提高细胞免疫,对正常的免疫细胞具有促进增殖作用;能够激活NK细胞,提高NK细胞杀伤活性;降低补体总活性,增强红细胞自然免疫的作用。以上表明大黄煎剂对特异性免疫、非特异性免疫均有促进作用,可辅助其它药物进行临床治疗。     

人巨噬细胞炎性蛋白-1β基因修饰肿瘤细胞的体内致瘤性和瘤苗效果

目的 探讨人巨噬细胞炎性蛋白-1β(hMIP-1β)基因修饰小鼠结肠腺癌CT26细胞的致瘤性和瘤苗免疫效果.方法 通过重组腺病毒载体介导,将hMIP-1β基因导入CT26细胞中,X-gal染色法检测基因转染效率;采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测hMIP-1β基因修饰CT26细胞培养上清中hMIP-1β的含量;采用Boyden趋化小室法检测培养上清对CD4+ T细胞、CD8+ T细胞、NK细胞和未成熟树突状细胞(imDC)的趋化作用.BALB/c小鼠皮下接种hMIP-1β基因修饰的CT26细胞,观察其体内致瘤性的改变和对免疫细胞的趋化作用;制备hMIP-1β基因修饰的CT26细胞瘤苗并免疫BALB/c小鼠,观察其诱导免疫细胞的杀伤活性和保护性免疫反应.结果 腺病毒载体可介导hMIP-1β基因转染CT26细胞和表达,X-gal染色的阳性率可达95.0%以上.在培养上清中hMIP-1β水平为980 pg/ml细胞,并对CD4+ T细胞、CD8+ T细胞、NK细胞和imDC有显著的趋化作用,与转染对照基因LacZ的CT26细胞及野生型CT26细胞比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).体内致瘤实验显示,hMIP-1β基因修饰的CT26细胞皮下接种后,成瘤率降低,肿瘤生长速度减慢,肿瘤内可见明显坏死灶,坏死灶内和周围可见较多淋巴细胞浸润.hMIP-1β基因修饰的CT26细胞瘤苗免疫小鼠能有效诱导肿瘤特异性CTL活性和非特异性NK活性,产生明显的免疫保护作用,可抵抗肿瘤细胞的再攻击.结论 hMIP-1β基因修饰的CT26细胞致瘤性显著下降,其瘤苗可诱导强烈的抗肿瘤免疫反应,提示hMIP-1β基因修饰瘤苗有望成为更有效的抗肿瘤免疫治疗手段.     

IL-3基因疗法对骨髓移植后免疫功能重建的影响

以大剂量化疗后进行同基因骨髓移植小鼠为实验模型,动态观察了成纤维细胞介导的IL-3基因疗法对骨髓移植后小鼠免疫功能重建的作用。结果发现,IL-3基因疗法能显著加快骨髓细胞的淋巴细胞增殖反应的恢复,并能显著增强腹腔巨噬细胞的杀伤功能,提高巨噬细胞分泌IL-1、TNF及脾细胞分泌IL-2等细胞因子的水平,从而证明IL-3基因疗法对骨髓移植后机体免疫功能重建具有促恢复作用。     

化疗和胸腺肽对恶性血液病患者免疫活性细胞的影响

目的 观察恶性血液病患者化疗前后外周血T细胞亚群及NK细胞活性,探讨胸腺肽对提高机体免疫功能的作用。方法 应用单克隆抗体和流式细胞仪检测化疗加胸腺肽治疗组（A组）和单纯化疗组（B组）恶性血液病患者化疗前后外周血T细胞亚群及NK细胞活性,并与对照组进行比较。结果 化疗前恶性血液病患者各项免疫活性细胞表达均低于对照组;治疗后A组的NK细胞活性明显高于B组,A组治疗后CD3^＋、CD4^ 、CD4^ /CD8^＋及NK细胞活性明显高于治疗前。结论 恶性血液病患者T细胞亚群、NK细胞活性受到明显抑制,胸腺肽能明显增强恶性血液病患者的细胞免疫功能,尤其是对NK细胞,它是1种低毒高效的生物反应调节剂。     

腹腔内注射IL-2重组腺病毒、IL-3重组腺病毒增强化疗药物抗白血病作用的研究

对实验性白血病小鼠模型大剂量化疗后,直接腹腔注射IL-2重组腺病毒(Ad-IL-2)和/或IL-3重组腺病毒(Ad-IL-3),发现腹腔注射对照腺病毒载体小鼠虽经大剂量化疗,仍有大量白血病细胞浸润至骨髓、血管、肝脏及脾脏。而腹腔注射Ad-IL-2或Ad-IL-3组小鼠肿瘤生长缓慢,注射Ad-IL-2组小鼠脾NK、CTL活性显著提高,注射Ad-IL-3组小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞数量及杀伤活性明显提高,联合应用Ad-IL-2,Ad-IL-3组小鼠抗白血病作用最为明显,骨髓中虽然仍见白血病细胞,但可见较多正常造血细胞,且肝、脾中未见白血病细胞浸润。表明腹腔内注射Ad-IL-2和Ad-IL-3可显著增强大剂量化疗对白血病的治疗效果。     

脾内途径的GM-CSF基因疗法对化疗后机体免疫功能恢复的影响

研究不同热休克条件对H22小鼠肝癌细胞的HSP70mRNA及蛋白表达的影响,以期获得最佳诱导条件.分别用MTT、RT-PCR、免疫荧光和FCM检测等方法观察不同热休克条件对鼠H22细胞的生存率、胞内HSP70mRNA转录水平及胞膜HSP70蛋白表达水平的改变.结果表明,H22细胞经轻度热休克(42～43℃),细胞生存率无影响,而中重度热休克(44～45℃)则随休克时间的延长,细胞生存率明显下降;42℃热休克初期(0.5～4小时)胞内HSP70mRNA水平低于对照组,休克后期(8～12小时)mRNA水平有所恢复并逐渐增高;不同时间热休克组H22细胞胞膜HSP70表达均较对照组显著增高(P相似文献   

Reinfusion of autologous lymphocytes with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induces rapid recovery of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after high-dose chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Repeated high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by peripheral-blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation can induce a complete remission in patients with metastatic breast cancer sensitive to standard chemotherapy (CT), but the majority of patients relapse within 1 to 2 years. The immune system is seriously compromised after HDCT, which precludes the development of effective immunotherapy. We investigated whether autologous lymphocytes, reinfused after HDCT, could induce a rapid recovery of T cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients were monitored for immune recovery without reinfusion of lymphocytes. In the next 11 patients, stem cells were harvested after CT + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and lymphocytes were harvested after CT + granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-2. These patients received stem cells and G-CSF after the first HDCT; stem cells, G-CSF, and lymphocytes after the second; and stem cells, GM-CSF, and lymphocytes after the third HDCT. RESULTS: Patients not receiving lymphocyte reinfusion had a very slow recovery of lymphocytes. In particular, CD4 counts remained low (< 200/microL for 9 months). Lymphocyte reinfusion had a significant effect on the recovery of lymphocytes, T cells, and CD8+ T cells (normalized on day 25). Recovery of CD4+ T cells was significantly accelerated by lymphocyte reinfusion and GM-CSF, leading to counts of 500/microL at 25 days. CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte reinfusion with G-CSF had a significant effect on the recovery of CD8+ T cells, whereas rapid recovery of CD4+ T cells required lymphocyte reinfusion and GM-CSF, which possibly acts as a survival factor through activation of antigen presenting cells. Whether the rapid recovery of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells prevents or delays relapse of the disease should be further investigated.     

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene-transfected autologous tumor cell vaccine: focus[correction to fcous] on non-small-cell lung cancer

Traditionally, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not thought of as an immunosensitive malignancy. However, recent clinical results with GVAX, a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene-transduced autologous tumor vaccine, may suggest otherwise. This review summarizes immune-induced activity caused by GM-CSF protein and GM-CSF gene-transfected vaccines. Initial indication of use for GM-CSF protein (sargramostim) was to improve neutrophil recovery following cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, several trials involving patients with hematologic malignancy demonstrated improvement in survival related to delayed disease progression in patients receiving sargramostim in combination with chemotherapy. Subsequently, others explored potential antitumor activity with sargramostim in a variety of trials. Results did not consistently demonstrate sufficient antitumor activity to justify routine use of sargramostim as an anticancer agent. Preclinical work with GM-CSF gene-transfected vaccines, however, did demonstrate significant activity, thereby justifying clinical investigation. Patients with metastatic NSCLC who had previously failed chemotherapy demonstrated response to GVAX (3 of 33 complete responses) and dose-related improvement in survival (471 days vs. 174 days).     

Interaction of IFN α/β with host cells essential to the early inhibition of friend erythroleukemia visceral metastases in mice

We have previously shown that an intact immune system was essential to the increase in survival time of IFN-α/β-treated mice injected i.v. with an IFN-α/β-resistant line of Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC) highly metastatic to the liver and spleen. Here, we have investigated the early interactions of IFN α/β with host cells prior to the development of the immune response. IFN α/β treatment resulted in 50- to 100-fold inhibition of FLC multiplication in the liver and spleen of normal DBA/2 mice shortly after tumor inoculation, as evaluated by colony formation in agarose. IFN treatment was far less effective in inhibiting the multiplication of FLC in the livers of NK-cell-deficient DBA/2 beige mice, or in immunocompetent DBA/2 mice treated with antibody to asialo GMI, or silica, or in mice subjected to sub-lethal irradiation. Injection of antibody to CD4 or CD5 did not affect the early inhibitory action of IFN α/β on FLC multiplication but did decrease survival time. Light- and electron-microscope examination of the livers of IFN-treated, FLC-injected mice confirmed the early inhibition of FLC multiplication in the liver and spleen. Our results indicate that IFN α/β inhibits the development of FLC visceral metastases by acting first on host cells, such as NK cells and macrophages, and then continues to act in consort with the developing immune response. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

61例淋巴瘤患者自体外周血造血干细胞动员方案临床分析

  目的  比较化疗+G-CSF与化疗+G-CSF+GM-CSF方案对淋巴瘤患者外周血造血干细胞动员采集及造血重建的效果差异。  方法  回顾性分析2008年5月至2016年10月天津医科大学肿瘤医院血液科收治的61例行自体外周血造血干细胞移植（au-tologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation,APBSCT）的淋巴瘤患者,分别采用化疗+G-CSF或化疗+G-CSF+GM-CSF方案动员外周血造血干细胞的临床资料。分析动员采集效果及移植后造血重建、发热、抗生素应用等情况。  结果  动员期间所有患者白细胞计数均降至1.0×109/L以下,血小板计数降至40×109/L以下。化疗+G-CSF组患者采集CD34+细胞数的成功率明显低于化疗+G-CSF+GM-CSF组（52.5% vs. 90.5%,P=0.003）。所有患者移植后均顺利完成造血重建,无移植相关死亡。化疗+G-CSF组和化疗+G-CSF+GM-CSF组中性粒细胞、血小板恢复时间及回输后发热、抗生素使用情况差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。  结论  化疗+G-CSF+GM-CSF组动员CD34+细胞产率虽然明显高于化疗+G-CSF组,然而移植成功率、中性粒细胞恢复时间、血小板恢复时间及不良反应均无显著性差异,本研究认为化疗+G-CSF+GM-CSF动员方案并未优于化疗+G-CSF动员方案。      

晚期消化道肿瘤患者化疗前后T细胞亚群的变化

背景与目的:肿瘤患者免疫功能低下,对其进行化疗将进一步抑制其机体的免疫系统。因此,合理的免疫调节将是对肿瘤患者重要的辅助治疗手段。本研究旨在检测消化道肿瘤患者化疗前后外周血T细胞亚群及相关细胞因子IL-2的变化规律,研究化疗及化疗后不同反应患者机体免疫功能状态的改变,并探讨对晚期消化道肿瘤患者进行适时、合理免疫治疗的临床意义。方法:采用流式细胞仪检测(flow cytometry,FCM)分析2005年9月至2006年4月苏州大学附属第一医院收治的104例消化道肿瘤患者化疗前后外周血中CD3 、CD4 、CD8 、CD4 CD28 、CD8 CD28 和CD4 CD25 T细胞百分数;采用酶联免疫吸附实验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测其血浆相关细胞因子IL-2的表达水平。结果:消化道肿瘤患者组CD4 、CD4 CD28 、CD8 CD28 和CD4 CD25 T细胞百分数及CD4/CD8比值分别为(36.52±3.85)%、(32.87±4.98)%、(6.87±3.11)%、(9.68±3.42)%、0.98±0.17;对照组各指标分别为:(45.23±9.20)%、(40.12±5.85)%、(15.8±4.50)%、(5.67±2.90)%、1.43±0.12。晚期消化道肿瘤化疗有效组。化疗前CD4 CD28 和CD8 CD28 T细胞百分数及CD4/CD8比值分别为:(22.93±3.98)%、(7.08±1.23)%、0.90±0.22,化疗3周后,各指标分别为(28.25±4.03)%、(12.10±3.45)%、1.24±0.22;化疗无效组,化疗前CD4 CD28 、CD8 CD28 和CD4 CD25 T细胞百分数分别为(24.08±4.02)%、(6.35±1.23)%、(8.20±2.34)%,化疗3周后,各指标分别为(16.45±3.27)%、(3.20±0.82)%、(20.34±3.69)%。结论:晚期消化道肿瘤患者化疗1～2周后加重了免疫抑制的程度,化疗有效组患者化疗3周后全身免疫状况改善;而化疗无效组未出现相应的免疫功能的改善,甚至免疫功能进一步恶化。     

Role of immature myeloid Gr-1+ cells in the development of antitumor immunity

One of the mechanisms by which tumor cells evade the immune system is the lack of proper antigen-presenting cells. Improvement in host immunity against tumor cells can be achieved by promoting the differentiation of dendritic cells (DCs) from immature myeloid cells (Gr-1(+)Ly-6C(+)F4/80(+)) that accumulate in the bone marrow and lymphoid organs of mice with large tumor burdens. The enriched immature myeloid cells inhibit T-cell proliferation and tumor-specific T-cell response, which can be reversed by the differentiation of immature myeloid cells or depletion of F4/80(+) cells. Sorted Gr-1(+)/F4/80(+) immature myeloid cells differentiated into CD11c(+) cells that express CD80 and I-A/I-E (MHC class II) in the presence of recombinant murine granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Furthermore, intratumoral gene delivery of GM-CSF not only promoted the differentiation of carboxyfluoroscein succinimidyl ester-labeled immature myeloid cells into CD11c(+) cells with the characteristics of mature DCs (CD80(+), I-A/I-E(+)) but also enhanced innate natural killer and adaptive cytolytic T-cell activities in mice treated with interleukin (IL)-12 and anti-4-1BB combination therapy. More importantly, intratumoral delivery of GM-CSF and IL-12 genes in combination with 4-1BB costimulation greatly improved the long-term survival rate of mice bearing large tumors and eradicated the untreated existing hepatic tumor. The results suggest that inducing the maturation of immature myeloid cells, thus preventing their inhibitory activity and enhancing their antigen-presenting capability, by GM-CSF gene therapy is a critically important step in the development of effective antitumor responses in hosts with advanced tumors.     

Cytokine-containing gelfoam implants at a postsurgical tumor excision site to stimulate local immune reactivity

We previously demonstrated increased numbers of CD34(+) progenitor cells in the peripheral blood of tumor bearers. Also demonstrated was the feasibility of chemoattracting these cells by sponge implants containing VEGF. The present study used a murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) model to test if CD34(+) cells that are chemoattracted to a tumor excision site can be differentiated in situ into dendritic cells and whether this leads to increased local immune reactivity. After surgically excising established LLC tumors, mice received at the excision site gelatin sponge implants containing VEGF to chemoattract CD34(+) cells, and/or GM-CSF plus SCF to induce CD34(+) cell differentiation into dendritic cells. In some studies, lysates of GFP-transfected LLC cells (LLC(GFP)) were also included in the implants as a source of tumor antigen. After 2 weeks, implants and local lymph nodes were removed and analyzed. Implants containing VEGF, GM-CSF/SCF or VEGF/GM-CSF/SCF had a higher proportion of CD34(+) cells compared to control implants. However, the number of dendritic cells was higher in implants containing GM-CSF/SCF or VEGF/GM-CSF/SCF than those containing either VEGF or diluent. Regional lymph node from mice containing GM-CSF/SCF or VEGF/GM-CSF/SCF implants showed increased dendritic cell levels. However, when lysates from LLC(GFP) were added to the implants, the highest proportion of dendritic cells associated with GFP was in lymph nodes of mice containing GM-CSF/SCF implants. Lymph node cells from mice with GM-CSF/SCF or VEGF/GM-CSF/SCF had a higher level of proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion in response to in vitro LLC lysate challenge, with the greatest response being from lymph node cells of mice with GM-CSF/SCF implants. These results suggest the feasibility of using GM-CSF/SCF-containing implants to increase dendritic cell levels, uptake of tumor antigens, trafficking to lymph nodes and stimulation of immune reactivity at tumor excision sites with residual tumor.     

Immunotherapy with acute leukemia cells modified into antigen-presenting cells: ex vivo culture and gene transfer methods.

Adult patients with acute leukemia have, in general, a poor prognosis, with long-term, disease-free survival achieved in only approximately one-third of cases. One of the proposed mechanisms for this poor overall response is the inability of the immune system to detect and eliminate residual malignant leukemia cells, which subsequently serve as a source of leukemic relapse. This review discusses the rationale of immunotherapy for acute leukemia and presents in vitro and in vivo model systems that were devised for pre-B acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). New advances in the ex vivo manipulation of acute leukemia cells are presented, which attempt to modify these cells into functional antigen-presenting cells. These cells can then be used as autologous vaccines at the time of minimal residual disease after standard chemotherapy, to stimulate host immune responses against their own leukemia cells. The various approaches toward this aim include incubation of leukemia cells with cytokines or growth factors and gene manipulation of these cells. In particular, ex vivo culture of ALL cells with CD40 ligand, incubation of AML cells with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 (GM-CSF/IL-4) and lentiviral transduction of ALL and AML cells for expression of immunomodulators (CD80 and GM-CSF) are current approaches under investigation for the development of autologous acute leukemia cell vaccines.     

IL-4 prevents the blockade of dendritic cell differentiation induced by tumor cells

Malignant cells may escape from the immune response in vivo because of a defective differentiation of professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), i.e., dendritic cells (DCs). We recently reported that tumor cells release interleukin (IL)-6 and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), which inhibit the differentiation of CD34+ cells into DCs and promote their commitment toward monocytic lineage with a poor APC function. The results presented here show that both IL-4 and IL-13 reverse the inhibitory effects of renal cell carcinoma conditioned media (RCC CM) or IL-6+M-CSF on the phenotypic and functional differentiation of CD34+ into DCs. IL-4 was found to act through a rapid blockade of the expression of M-CSF and the IL-6 receptor-transducing chain (gp130), along with a decrease of the secondary production of M-CSF, thereby preventing the loss of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor alpha chain expression on differentiating CD34+ cells. Consistent with these observations, the differentiation of DCs from monocytes cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 was also impaired by RCC CM, but the minimal inhibitory concentrations of RCC CM were 10-fold higher than for CD34+ cells. In these conditions, monocytes cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 also exhibited profound phenotypic changes (CD14+ D32+ CD86+ HLA-DR+ CD115(low) CD23(low) CD1a-) and a poor APC function. These alterations were overcome in a dose-dependent manner by IL-4 (5-500 IU/ml), although not beyond a 40% final concentration of RCC CM. The capacity of RCC CM to block DC differentiation from monocytes strongly correlated with IL-6 and M-CSF concentrations in medium. Taken together, these results demonstrate that IL-4 and IL-13 reverse the inhibitory effect of tumor cells on DC differentiation.