Glucocorticoids down-regulate dendritic cell function in vitro and in vivo

Exogenous glucocorticoid hormones are widely used as therapeutical agents, whereas endogenous glucocorticoids may act as physiological immunosuppressants involved in the control of immune and inflammatory responses. The optimal activation of T lymphocytes requires two distinct signals: the major histocompatibility complex-restricted presentation of the antigen and an additional co-stimulatory signal provided by the antigen-presenting cells. There is ample evidence that, among the cells able to present the antigen, the dendritic cells (DC) have the unique property to activate antigen-specific, naive T cells in vitro and in vivo, and are therefore required for the induction of primary immune responses. In this work, we tested whether glucocorticoids affected the capacity of DC to sensitize naive T cells. Our data show that, in vitro, the steroid hormone analog dexamethasone (Dex) affects the viability of DC, selectively downregulates the expression of co-stimulatory molecules on viable DC, and strongly reduces their immunostimulatory properties. In vivo, a single injection of Dex results in impaired antigen presenting function, a finding which correlates with reduced numbers of splenic DC. These results show that glucocorticoids regulate DC maturation and immune function in vitro and in vivo and suggest that this mechanism may play a role in preventing overstimulation of the immune system.     

Induction of immunosuppressive functions of dendritic cells in vivo by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells: role of B7-H3 expression and antigen presentation

Suppressive functions of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are mainly studied by their interaction with conventional T cells. However, there is evidence that Treg also interact with antigen-presenting cells (APC), leading to suppression of APC function in in vitro coculture systems. Studying the in vivo distribution of Treg after injection, we found that Treg are located in direct proximity to dendritic cells (DC) and affect their functional maturation status. After contact to Treg, DC up-regulate the inhibitory B7-H3 molecule and display reduced numbers of MHC-peptide complexes, leading to impaired T cell stimulatory function. When Treg-exposed DC were used to immunize animals against antigens, the DC failed to produce a robust immune response as compared to control DC. Thus, these data indicate that Treg are able to inhibit DC activation and produce an inhibitory phenotype of DC. Accordingly, Treg may recruit DC for the amplification of immunosuppression by restraining their maturation in vivo and inducing an immunosuppressive phenotype of DC.     

Comparing macrophages and dendritic leukocytes as antigen-presenting cells for humoral responses in vivo by antigen targeting

Immunotargeting is a novel technique whereby antigen is directed against antigen-presenting cells (APC) by conjugation to specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb). In this study we have employed the technique to investigate the efficiency of macrophages as APC compared with constitutively major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-positive cells. i.e. dendritic leukocytes and B cells. in vivo. We first studied the organ retention of the radiolabeled conjugates by gamma counting, and their distribution within the draining lymph nodes by autoradiography. We could confirm that the conjugates reached the cells at which they were aimed. We then measured primary and secondary humoral responses. The results confirmed previous findings that targeting with mAb against MHC class II, i.e. to dendritic leukocytes, strongly enhanced the primary humoral response. In contrast, anti-IgD conjugates, directed against B cells gave only weak primary responses. Although conjugates directed against macrophages were retained for a longer time than the other conjugates, the primary humoral response was virtually abolished. The secondary responses, however, were at least as strong as those obtained in animals primed with control conjugates, whereas animals primed with anti-MHC class II conjugates showed little if any amplification of the secondary response. The discrepancies between the various conjugates could not be ascribed to T_H1 versus T_H2 responses as IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgE titers all co-varied in single animals. A possible explanation for the observed results is that macrophages fail to induce cytokine production for terminal differentiation of B cells to plasma cells, whereas conversely, upon presentation by dendritic leukocytes most stimulated B cells mature to plasma cells, leaving less progeny for immunological memory.     

Rab4蛋白参与DC细胞内源性抗原递呈

目的 建立稳定表达卵白蛋白的DC细胞株DC-OVA,研究Rab蛋白对DC内源抗原递呈的影响.方法 首先构建含OVA蛋白基因慢病毒表达质粒pLentimycOVA;以DNA-磷酸钙共沉淀法转染293FT细胞制备慢病毒,用病毒感染DC2.4细胞及杀稻瘟毒素(Blasticidin)筛选方法建立稳定表达OVA的细胞株,Western blot鉴定DC-OVA细胞中OVA蛋白表达;然后用识别MHC Ⅰ类分子-OVA肽复合物的T细胞杂交瘤B3Z细胞以及针对该复合物的单抗25D1.16检测DC-OVA细胞表面MHC-OVA肽复合物的形成情况,建立内源性抗原呈递的检测方法;最后采用脂质体法转染化学合成的Rab4、Rab5A、Rab7、Rab11的siRNA于DC-OVA中,B3Z检测DC内源抗原递呈的变化.结果 酶切和测序分析证实转移质粒克隆成功,Western blot可在DC-OVA细胞中检测到OVA蛋白,B3Z细胞和25D1.16单抗可检测到DC-OVA细胞表面存在MHCⅠ类分子-OVA表位多肽复合物,表明内源性抗原呈递系统成功建立.在此基础上,发现下调DC细胞中Rab4蛋白的表达,DC-OVA细胞刺激B3Z生成IL-2(白细胞介素2)的量明显下降.结论 成功构建了OVA蛋白的慢病毒表达载体,获得了表达内源OVA蛋白的DC细胞株,建立了内源性抗原呈递系统,初步证实下调Rab4蛋白可抑制DC细胞的内源性抗原递呈,为病毒感染和肿瘤等疾病的治疗奠定了基础.     

Th1 cells induce and Th2 inhibit antigen-dependent IL-12 secretion by dendritic cells

Dendritic cells are the most relevant antigen-presenting cells (APC) for presentation of antigens administered in adjuvant to CD4⁺ T cells. Upon interaction with antigen-specific T cells, dendritic cells (DC) expressing appropriate peptide-MHC class II complexes secrete IL-12, a cytokine that drives Th1 cell development. To analyze the T cell-mediated regulation of IL-12 secretion by DC, we have examined their capacity to secrete IL-12 in response to stimulation by antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 DO11.10 TCR-transgenic cells. These cells do not differ either in TCR clonotype or CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression. Interaction with antigen-specific Th1, but not Th2 cells, induces IL-12 p40 and p75 secretion by DC. The induction of IL-12 production by Th1 cells does not depend on their IFN-γ secretion, but requires direct cell-cell contact mediated by peptide/MHC class II-TCR and CD40-CD40L interactions. Th2 cells not only fail to induce IL-12 secretion, but they inhibit its induction by Th1 cells. Unlike stimulation by Th1, inhibition of IL-12 production by Th2 cells is mediated by soluble molecules, as demonstrated by transwell cultures. Among Th2-derived cytokines, IL-10, but not IL-4 inhibit Th1-driven IL-12 secretion. IL-10 produced by Th2 cells appears to be solely responsible for the inhibition of Th1-induced IL-12 secretion, but it does not account for the failure of Th2 cells to induce IL-12 production by DC. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Th1 cells up-regulate IL-12 production by DC via IFN-γ-independent cognate interaction, whereas this is inhibited by Th2-derived IL-10. The inhibition of Th1-induced IL-12 production by Th2 cells with the same antigen specificity represents a novel mechanism driving the polarization of CD4⁺ T cell responses.     

Split activity of interleukin-10 on antigen capture and antigen presentation by human dendritic cells: Definition of a maturative step

Human CD1⁺ CD14^- dendritic cells (DC) can be derived from CD14⁺ monocytes using granulocyte/monocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin (IL)-4. We have previously shown that IL-10 pre-treatment of such DC significantly inhibited their antigen-presenting capacity to CD4⁺ T cell clones. In this study, we further analyze how IL-10 influences antigen presentation. We first investigated whether IL-10 could alter the early stage of antigen presentation, the capture of antigen. This can be mediated by mannose receptor (MR)-mediated endocytosis and by fluid-phase uptake through macropinocytosis. IL-10-treated DC showed an enhancement of both mechanisms of antigen capture, as indicated by the increase of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran uptake through MR and lucifer yellow uptake. However, IL-10-treated DC, irradiated or glutaraldehyde-fixed, were less efficient than untreated DC in stimulating mixed leukocyte reaction as well as in inducing the activation of peptide-specific T cell clones, indicating that IL-10 achieves its effects mainly by modifying the cell surface phenotype of DC. HLA class I and II, as well as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-3, B7-1, B7-2 and ICAM-3 expression were either significantly increased or essentially unchanged, and the ability to bind the epitope recognized by the T cell clones was also unaffected regardless of IL-10 treatment. Our study also indicates that as-yet unidentified accessory molecules may play an essential role in T cell activation. Thus, the IL-10-treated DC possess an increased capacity to capture antigen, with a concomitant decreased stimulatory activity. Our study suggests that IL-10-treated DC have the characteristics of highly immature DC (high capture ability, low stimulatory potency) and may represent an early maturative step of human DC of monocytic origin.     

The role of dendritic cells in cancer and anti-tumor immunity

Dendritic cells (DC) are key sentinels of the host immune response with an important role in linking innate and adaptive immunity and maintaining tolerance. There is increasing recognition that DC are critical determinants of initiating and sustaining effective T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses. Recent progress in immuno-oncology has led to the evolving insight that the presence and function of DC within the tumor microenvironment (TME) may dictate efficacy of cancer immunotherapies as well as conventional cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint blockade, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As such, improved understanding of dendritic cell immunobiology specifically focusing on their role in T-cell priming, migration into tissues and TME, and the coordinated in vivo responses of functionally specialized DC subsets will facilitate a better mechanistic understanding of how tumor-immune surveillance can be leveraged to improve patient outcomes and to develop novel DC-targeted therapeutic approaches.     

A conditionally immortalized dendritic cell line which differentiates in contact with T cells or T cell-derived cytokines

A conditionally immortalized dendritic cell line was established from bone marrow of mice transgenic for a thermolabile mutant of the SV40 large T antigen under the control of the class I K^b promoter. At the permissive temperature of 33°–37°C, the line divides in the absence of granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor. It shares a number of cell surface markers with bone marrow macrophages, but unlike macrophages, is constitutively major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II⁺, negative for nonspecific esterase and unable to phagocytose sheep red blood cells. The cells show characteristic dendrites, an abundance of acidic vesicles and are highly active in endocytosis. If maintained at 33°C, the dendritic cell line processes and presents exogenous protein to MHC class II-restricted T cell hybrids and acts as potent mixed lymphocyte reaction stimulator, but fails to activate naive, resting T cells. Transfer to 39°C arrests growth and results in up-regulation of surface markers such as B7.1, CD40 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Further up-regulation of cell surface markers and acquisition of functional maturity occur following contact with T cells and their cognate antigen or in culture with a cytokine mixture derived from activated T cells.     

Targeting antigen to bone marrow stromal cell‐2 expressed by conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells elicits efficient antigen presentation

Bone marrow stromal cell‐2 (BST‐2) has major roles in viral tethering and modulation of interferon production. Here we investigate BST‐2 as a receptor for the delivery of antigen to dendritic cells (DCs). We show that BST‐2 is expressed by a panel of mouse and human DC subsets, particularly under inflammatory conditions. The outcome of delivering antigen to BST‐2 expressed by steady state and activated plasmacytoid DC (pDC) or conventional CD8⁺ and CD8^? DCs was determined. T‐cell responses were measured for both MHC class I (MHCI) and MHC class II (MHCII) antigen presentation pathways in vitro. Delivering antigen via BST‐2 was compared with that via receptors DEC205 or Siglec‐H. We show that despite a higher antigen load and faster receptor internalisation, when antigen is delivered to steady state or activated pDC via BST‐2, BST‐2‐targeted activated conventional DCs present antigen more efficiently. Relative to DEC205, BST‐2 was inferior in its capacity to deliver antigen to the MHCI cross‐presentation pathway. In contrast, BST‐2 was superior to Siglec‐H at initiating either MHCI or MHCII antigen presentation. In summary, BST‐2 is a useful receptor to target with antigen, given its broad expression pattern and ability to access both MHCI and MHCII presentation pathways with relative efficiency.     

Circulating specific antibodies enhance systemic cross-priming by delivery of complexed antigen to dendritic cells in vivo

Increasing evidence suggests that antibodies can have stimulatory effects on T‐cell immunity. However, the contribution of circulating antigen‐specific antibodies on MHC class I cross‐priming in vivo has not been conclusively established. Here, we defined the role of circulating antibodies in cross‐presentation of antigen to CD8⁺ T cells. Mice with hapten‐specific circulating antibodies, but na?ve for the T‐cell antigen, were infused with haptenated antigen and CD8⁺ T‐cell induction was measured. Mice with circulating hapten‐specific antibodies showed significantly enhanced cross‐presentation of the injected antigen compared with mice that lacked these antibodies. The enhanced cross‐presentation in mice with circulating antigen‐specific antibodies was associated with improved antigen capture by APCs. Importantly, CD11c⁺ APCs were responsible for the enhanced and sustained cross‐presentation, although CD11c^? APCs had initially captured a significant amount of the injected antigen. Thus, in vivo formation of antigen‐antibody immune complexes improves MHC class I cross‐presentation, and CD8⁺ T‐cell activation, demonstrating that humoral immunity can aid the initiation of systemic cellular immunity. These findings have important implications for the understanding of the action of therapeutic antibodies against tumor‐associated antigens intensively used in the clinic nowadays.     

Characteristics of antigen-independent and antigen-dependent interaction of dendritic cells with CD4+ T cells

Dendritic cells (DC) are the main antigen-presenting cells for the initiation of primary T cell-mediated immune responses. In the first stage of activation, T cells bind to DC in an antigen-independent manner. We studied the adhesion characteristics of human CD4⁺ T cells to DC generated from CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitors following 12 to 13 days of culture in the presence of granulo-cyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor-α. A majority of these cells had the morphology, phenotype and functions of DC. CD4⁺ T/DC adhesion was measured by means of fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Four independent receptor/ligand pathways, LFA-1/ICAM, ICAM/LFA-1, CD2/LFA-3 and CD28/CD80, were involved in the transient adhesion of DC to CD4⁺ T cells in antigen-independent and specific alloantigen-dependent situations, as shown by blocking experiments using monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies also blocked a primary mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in which DC were used as stimulatory cells. Adhesion of alloreactive CD4⁺ T cells to antigen-presenting DC was stronger than that of resting CD4⁺ T cells, while peak adhesion occurred after 5 and 20 min, respectively. The LFA-1 ligands involved in adhesion of resting CD4 T cells to DC and alloreactive CD4⁺ T cells to specific DC differed in part, since ICAM-3 on resting T cells and ICAM-1 on alloreactive T lymphocytes preferentially bound LFA-1. Studies of interactions between DC and phorbol ester-activated T cells expressing the CD40 ligand revealed a fifth independent adhesion pathway, CD40/CD40 ligand. CD4-mediated regulation of CD4⁺ T/DC adhesion was suggested by the observation that preincubation of CD4⁺ T cells and DC individually with anti-CD4 antibodies inhibited adhesion. In addition, antibodies specific for HLA class II molecules inhibited adhesion when used to pretreat DC but not alloactivated CD4⁺ T cells.     

抗原基因修饰的树突状细胞诱导机体产生特异性免疫应答的实验研究

目的：探讨腺病毒介导的肿瘤抗原基因修饰的树突状细胞（ＤＣ） 体内免疫后对抗原特异性抗肿瘤免疫反应的诱导作用。方法：以βｇａｌ 为模拟抗原,以转染有ＬａｃＺ基因并稳定表达βｇａｌ 的淋巴瘤细胞Ｅ２２ 为肿瘤细胞模型,用携带编码βｇａｌ的ＬａｃＺ基因的重组腺病毒载体（ＡｄＬａｃＺ） 转染小鼠骨髓ＤＣ,检测转染的效率及ＬａｃＺ基因修饰ＤＣ刺激Ｔ细胞增殖的能力,观察皮下免疫ＬａｃＺ基因修饰ＤＣ后小鼠引流区淋巴结细胞数量和组分的变化以及诱导产生ＣＴＬ和抵抗Ｅ２２ 细胞再攻击的能力。结果：ＬａｃＺ基因修饰后２４ 、４８ 、７２ ｈ,均能检测到８０％ 以上的ＤＣ表达βｇａｌ,此基因修饰的ＤＣ可有效刺激同基因型小鼠脾脏Ｔ淋巴细胞增殖反应;将其皮下免疫小鼠１ ｗ 后再接种Ｅ２２ 细胞,小鼠的存活期较其他ＤＣ免疫小鼠显著延长,但对Ｂ１６ 黑色素瘤细胞的攻击无免疫保护作用。此外,ＬａｃＺ基因修饰的ＤＣ免疫小鼠的引流淋巴结细胞数量显著增加,且产生了针对Ｅ２２ 的而非ＥＬ４ 或Ｂ１６ 的特异性ＣＴＬ。结论：腺病毒介导的肿瘤抗原基因修饰的ＤＣ能有效诱导机体产生特异的抗肿瘤免疫反应。     

CD34-derived dendritic cells transfected ex vivo with HIV-Gag mRNA induce polyfunctional T-cell responses in nonhuman primates

The pivotal role of DCs in initiating immune responses led to their use as vaccine vectors. However, the relationship between DC subsets involved in antigen presentation and the type of elicited immune responses underlined the need for the characterization of the DCs generated in vitro. The phenotypes of tissue-derived APCs from a cynomolgus macaque model for human vaccine development were compared with ex vivo-derived DCs. Monocyte/macrophages predominated in bone marrow (BM) and blood. Myeloid DCs (mDCs) were present in all tested tissues and were more highly represented than plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). As in human skin, Langerhans cells (LCs) resided exclusively in the macaque epidermis, expressing CD11c, high levels of CD1a and langerin (CD207). Most DC subsets were endowed with tissue-specific combinations of PRRs. DCs generated from CD34(+) BM cells (CD34-DCs) were heterogeneous in phenotype. CD34-DCs shared properties (differentiation and PRR) of dermal and epidermal DCs. After injection into macaques, CD34-DCs expressing HIV-Gag induced Gag-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, MIP-1β, or IL-2. In high responding animals, the numbers of polyfunctional CD8(+) T cells increased with the number of booster injections. This DC-based vaccine strategy elicited immune responses relevant to the DC subsets generated in vitro.     

Increased TLR responses in dendritic cells lacking the ITAM-containing adapters DAP12 and FcRgamma

The inhibitory effect of DAP12 on macrophages has been revealed by examining myeloid cells from DAP12-deficient mice. In this report, we demonstrate that both DAP12 and the FcepsilonRIgamma-chain (FcRgamma) are required for negative regulation of TLR responses in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC). Loss of both DAP12 and FcRgamma enhanced the pro-inflammatory cytokine production and maturation of DC after TLR stimulation, resulting in a greater percentage of DC that produced IL-12 p40, TNF, and IL-6, and expressed high levels of MHC class II, CD80, and CD86. Whereas DC lacking only DAP12 showed some increased TLR responses, those lacking only FcRgamma had a greater enhancement of maturation and cytokine production, though to a lesser extent than DC lacking both DAP12 and FcRgamma. Additionally, antigen-specific T cell proliferation was enhanced by DAP12(-/-)FcRgamma(-/-) DC relative to wild-type DC after maturation. Similar to DAP12(-/-)FcRgamma(-/-) DC, Syk-deficient DC also had increased inflammatory cytokine production, maturation, and antigen presentation. These results confirm the inhibitory effect of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) signaling in myeloid cells and show that DC and macrophages differ in their dependence on the ITAM-containing adapters DAP12 and FcRgamma for negative regulation of TLR signaling.     

肾癌细胞冻融抗原负载树突状细胞瘤苗的活化

目的: 探索体外诱导DCs活化的方法和制备肾癌树突状细胞(DCs)瘤苗。方法: 制备肾癌细胞冻融抗原；取健康人新鲜血分离外周血单个核细胞(PBMC),应用GM-CSF+IL-4刺激，诱导PBMC为iDCs,然后进行分组，采用不同因子刺激iDCs转化为mDCs,其中Ａ组:冻融抗原负载；Ｂ组: TNF-α+冻融抗原负载；Ｃ组: IL-1β+冻融抗原负载；Ｄ组: TNF-α+IL-1β+冻融抗原负载。 结果:各组均可诱导iDCs的成熟,并高表达CD86、CD80和HLA-DR；相对于其它组，D组DCs 更显著上调CD83和CD54表达(P<0.05)和IL-12分泌(P<0.01)，且D组mDCs更有效地刺激淋巴细胞增殖(P<0.05)。 结论: TNF-α+IL-1β与肾癌细胞冻融抗原协同可有效促进DCs成熟、增强诱导淋巴细胞活化的能力。     

Different cytokines regulate antigen uptake and presentation of a precursor dendritic cell line

Langerhans cells (LC) and dendritic cells (DC) need to be activated in order to perform their antigen-presenting function. In this study, we explored the influence of cytokines on the uptake and presentation of protein antigens by the retrovirally immortalized myeloid cell line FSDC. This cell line was generated from mouse fetal skin and was previously shown to have the characteristics of early DC precursors. Both FSDC and bone marrow-derived DC (BM-DC) were more effective in the pinocytosis of FITC-conjugated ovalbumin (FITC-OVA) and dextran (FITC-DX) than B cells or macrophages. Pretreatment of FSDC with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) ± interleukin (IL)-4 enhanced the pinocytic uptake of FITC-OVA and FITC-DX, but did not induce antigen-presenting capacity. In contrast, untreated FSDC or FSDC pre-incubated with GM-CSF ± IL-4 suppressed T cell responses. Treatment of FSDC with IFN-γ reduced pinocytosis but increased the expression of MHC and co-stimulatory/adhesion molecules and promoted efficient presentation of OVA protein or peptide to the specific DO11.10 T cell hybridoma or to naive CD4⁺ T cells from DO11.10 TCR-transgenic mice. The results suggest that antigen uptake and antigen presentation in DC are regulated by different cytokine signals provided by the surrounding tissue.     

Half-life of antigen/major histocompatibility complex class II complexes in vivo: intra- and interorgan variations

We have determined the half-life in vivo of antigen/MHC class II complexes in different organ microenvironments. Mice were “pulsed” with myoglobin intravenously and MHC class II-positive antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations from different organs were isolated after various time intervals. Specific antigen/MHC complexes were quantitated by co-cultivation of the APC subsets with myoglobin-specific T-T hybridoma cells in vitro. Half-lives of antigen/MHC complexes differed both between organs and between compartments of the same organ. Half-lives in peripheral organs (spleen and bone marrow) ranged between 3 and 8 h, whereas in the thymus half-lives between 13 h (cortical epithelial cells) and 22 h (medullary dendritic cells) were observed. Half lives in vivo were independent of antigen processing, since intact protein or antigenic peptides yielded similar values. The considerably longer half-life of peptide/MHC complexes in the thymus as compared to peripheral organs may reflect the distinct role which antigen presentation plays in both organs, i.e. induction of tolerance versus induction of immunity.     

树突状细胞摄取和提呈颗粒化抗原的能力与颗粒载体的大小相关

目的：研究体外小鼠骨髓树突状细胞对2种不同大小bead-OVA复合物（0.04 μm bead和1.0μm bead）的摄取及class I途径抗原提呈能力。方法：以2h骨髓粘附细胞为前体细胞，用GM－CSF（1000U／ml）和IL－3（10ng/ml）培养5d，观察细胞对FITC标记的2种bead-OVA复合物的摄取，PMA、amiloride、cytochalasin D对摄取的抑制，以及细胞摄取后表达MHC分子和共刺激分子的情况，同时用OVA表位特异性T细胞杂交检测细胞摄取后通过class I途径活化CTL应答的能力。结果：树突状细胞对1．0μm bead-OVA的摄取明显高于对0．04μm bead-OVA，前者被上述3种抑制剂显著抑制，后者仅对amiloride和PMA抑制作用敏感，CCD无明显抑制作用。与摄取结果相反，0．04μm bead－OVA较1．0μm bead－OVA诱导更强的CD8细胞免疫应答，表型分析显示，细胞摄取0．04μm bead后，MHC分子和共刺激分子表达显著高于1．0μm的bead。结论：树突状细胞对2种bead的摄取能力和摄取机制不一样，0．04μm bead尽管摄取效率不如1．0μm bead，但通过class I途径提呈抗原的效率显著高于后者。     

巨细胞病毒抑制树突状细胞抗原递呈功能

目的： 探讨巨细胞病毒（CMV）对单核细胞来源的树突状细胞（DC）的感染效率及对受染细胞的功能影响。方法: 以50半数细胞培养感染量（TCID50）滴度的CMV与未成熟及成熟DC（imDC，mDC）共培养，逆转录－聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）方法检测细胞内CMV即刻早期抗原（IEA）mRNA水平，间接免疫荧光技术检测受染细胞内早期抗原（EA）阳性率，流式细胞仪检测细胞胞内病毒晚期抗原pp65表达，BrdU ELISA法检测受染DCs（cmv-imDC,cmv-mDC）刺激异基因T细胞增殖能力。结果: 感染 12 h，cmv-mDC内IEA mRNA水平低于cmv-imDC，相对表达量分别为0.102±0.020和0.862±0.124（P<0.05）。24 h，imDC组EA阳性率高于mDC组，分别为(62.32±14.20)%和(10.78±3.04)%（P<0.01）。72 h，cmv-DC胞内低表达pp65抗原，imDC和mDC中阳性率分别为4.86%和0.82%。与未处理mDC相比，cmv-imDC经成熟诱导因子LPS作用后，其刺激异基因T细胞增殖能力较弱（均P<0.05）；而cmv-mDC，仅当DC/T细胞为 1∶1 时，刺激能力下降（P<0.05）。结论: CMV可有效感染imDC，并在细胞内复制活化；cmv-DC的抗原递呈能力下降。     

Targeting dendritic cells to advance cross-presentation and vaccination outcomes

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a complex network of specialised antigen-presenting cells that are critical initiators of adaptive immunity. Targeting antigen directly to DCs in situ is a vaccination strategy that selectively delivers antigen to receptors expressed by DC subtypes. This approach exploits specific DC subset functions of antigen uptake and presentation. Here, we review DC-targeted vaccination strategies that are designed to elicit effective cross-presentation for CD8⁺ T cell immunity. In particular, we focus on approaches that exploit receptors highly expressed by mouse and human cDCs equipped with superior cross-presentation capacity. These receptors include DEC205, Clec9A and XCR1. Targeting DC receptors Clec12A, Clec4A4 and mannose receptor is also reviewed. Outcomes of DC-targeted vaccination in mouse models through to human clinical trials is discussed. This is a promising new vaccination approach capable of directly targeting the cross-presentation pathway for prevention and treatment of tumours and infectious diseases.