Clinical-scale generation of dendritic cells in a closed system

Immunotherapy of malignant diseases based on dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with tumor antigens is a promising approach. Therefore, there is a demand for large-scale, clinical-grade ex vivo generation of DCs. Here, a procedure is presented that combines monocyte selection and tissue culture in closed systems under current good manufacturing practice conditions. Leukocytes from three patients with urologic cancers were collected by leukapheresis and subjected to immunomagnetic enrichment. From leukapheresis products containing 1.6 +/- 0.2 x 1010 (mean +/- SEM) leukocytes with a frequency of CD14+ monocytes of 18.7 +/- 2.3%, monocytes were enriched to 94.3 +/- 2.2%. CD14+ cell recovery was 67.0 +/- 4.7%. After 6 days of culture in Teflon bags in X-Vivo 15 medium supplemented with autologous plasma, GM-CSF, and IL-4, cells showed an immature DC phenotype and efficient antigen uptake. Following an additional 3 days of culture in the presence of GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-1beta, IL-6, TNFalpha, and PGE(2), cells (82.0 +/- 5.8% CD83+) displayed a mature DC morphology and phenotype, including expression of CD11b, CD11c, CD18, CD25, CD40, CD54, CD58, CD80, CD86, HLA class I, and HLA-DR as well as expression of CCR7 but not CCR5. The mature DC phenotype remained stable for at least 5 days in the absence of cytokines. Yield of DC was 14.0 +/- 4.7% and viability was 91.9 +/- 3.5%. Mature DCs effectively clustered with naive T cells and potently induced allogeneic T-cell proliferation and IL-2 and IFNgamma but not IL-4 production. Thus, this procedure allows large-scale generation of stably mature, Th1 responses inducing DCs under cGMP conditions in a closed system from cancer patients and is therefore well suited for immunotherapy.     

A simple cryopreservation method for dendritic cells and cells used in their derivation and functional assessment

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation and storage permitting multiple treatments with single donations is of practical importance to cellular therapies. HES and DMSO, used successfully in simple clinical procedures for freezing marrow and peripheral blood progenitor cells at -80 degrees C, was tested on antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) and cells used in their derivation. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: DCs cultured in serum-free media from adherent or CD14+ apheresis MNCs (n = 36) in the presence of GM-CSF + IL4 +/- TNFalpha were frozen and stored at -80 degrees C in 6-percent HES, 5-percent DMSO, and 4-percent HSA. Apheresis MNCs, CD14+ monocytes, and lymphocytes were similarly frozen and later thawed for culture. Cells were assayed for viability, DC phenotype, mixed lymphocyte reaction, and antigen presentation before and 3, 6, 9, 12 or more months after freezing. RESULTS: DCs retained viability (82 +/- 2.3%) for at least 24 months. Mature and immature phenotype and function were preserved. Thawed MNCs and CD14+ cells differentiated to DCs and lymphocytes maintained high functional viability (92 +/- 3%) comparable to prefreeze levels. CONCLUSION: A simple -80 degrees C freezing and storage method that combines extracellular (HES) and intracellular (DMSO) agents is practical and preserves functional viability of DCs, MNCs, CD14+ monocytes, and lymphocytes.     

Monocyte enrichment from leukapheresis products by using the Elutra cell separator

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs), used in clinical trials for cancer immunotherapy, require processing on an expanded scale to conform to current good manufacturing practice guidelines. This study evaluated a large-scale monocyte enrichment procedure with a commercially available cell separator (Elutra, Gambro BCT) and analyzed the capacity of enriched monocytes to differentiate into DCs. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Mononuclear cells were collected in two patients with malignant melanoma and seven healthy donors by leukapheresis. Continuous-counterflow elutriation with the Elutra was performed to enrich and purify monocytes from leukapheresis products. Purity and recovery of enriched monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. DCs were generated from the elutriated monocytes and characterized by phenotypic surface marker and stimulatory capacity in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. RESULTS: In the leukapheresis products, the total MNC count was 7.3 x 10(9) +/- 0.7 x 10(9) and the mean percentage of CD14+ monocytes was 16.5 +/- 3.8 percent, which increased to 68.9 +/- 7.4 percent after elutriation with the Elutra. The mean monocyte recovery was 94.3 percent. Elutriated monocytes were successfully cultured into phenotypically and functionally mature DCs. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the Elutra cell separator allows for fast and easy enrichment of monocytes within a closed system. Furthermore, these monocytes can be differentiated into functionally mature DCs. Compared to plastic adherence and immunomagnetic selection methods, the elutriation procedure is inexpensive, efficient, and very effective.     

Dendritic cells generated from CD34+ progenitor cells with flt3 ligand, c-kit ligand, GM-CSF, IL-4, and TNF-alpha are functional antigen-presenting cells resembling mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are powerful antigen-presenting cells. Because DCs are rare cells, methods to produce them in vitro are valuable ways to study their biologic properties and to generate cells for immunotherapy. This study defines the antigen-presenting properties of DCs generated in vitro from CD34+ cells of patients with breast cancer. The combination of cytokines flt3 ligand + c-kit ligand + granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) + interleukin-4 (IL-4) + tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was used to maximize the output of mature DCs in the culture of CD34+ cells while minimizing the production of monocytes. Cells grew and differentiated into DCs as measured by a time-dependent upregulation of cell surface antigens major histocompatibility complex class II, CD1a, CD80, CD86, CD40, and CD4, so that 40% +/- 9% (n = 6) of cells in culture at day 15 were CD1a+CD14-. Markers were acquired in the same sequence as on monocytes induced to differentiate with GM-CSF + IL-4. Differentiation was marked by a time-dependent increase in allostimulatory function, which, at its peak, was more potent than in cultures of DCs generated from monocytes with GM-CSF + IL-4, but was comparable on a cell-to-cell basis to that of mature monocytes cultured in flt3-ligand + c-kit-ligand + GM-CSF + IL-4 + TNF-alpha. Both CD34+ cell-derived and monocyte-derived DCs were able to process and to present tetanus toxoid and keyhole limpet hemocyanin to autologous T cells and to present major histocompatibility class I-binding peptides to CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes inducing interferon-gamma production. Altogether, these results suggest that DCs generated from CD34+ cells of patients with breast cancer with flt3 ligand, c-kit ligand, GM-CSF, IL-4, and TNF-alpha are competent antigen-presenting cells, particularly for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and resemble mature monocyte-derived DCs in the assays described here.     

Evaluating maturation and genetic modification of human dendritic cells in a new polyolefin cell culture bag system

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) are applied worldwide in several clinical studies of immune therapy of malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and transplantations. Most legislative bodies are demanding high standards for cultivation and transduction of cells. Closed‐cell cultivating systems like cell culture bags would simplify and greatly improve the ability to reach these cultivation standards. We investigated if a new polyolefin cell culture bag enables maturation and adenoviral modification of human DCs in a closed system and compare the results with standard polystyrene flasks. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from HLA‐A*0201–positive blood donors by leukapheresis. A commercially available separation system (CliniMACS, Miltenyi Biotec) was used to isolate monocytes by positive selection using CD14‐specific immunomagnetic beads. The essentially homogenous starting cell population was cultivated in the presence of granulocyte‐macrophage–colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐4 in a closed‐bag system in parallel to the standard flask cultivation system. Genetic modification was performed on Day 4. After induction of maturation on Day 5, mature DCs could be harvested and cryopreserved on Day 7. During the cultivation period comparative quality control was performed using flow cytometry, gene expression profiling, and functional assays. RESULTS: Both flasks and bags generated mature genetically modified DCs in similar yields. Surface membrane markers, expression profiles, and functional testing results were comparable. The use of a closed‐bag system facilitated clinical applicability of genetically modified DCs. CONCLUSIONS: The polyolefin bag–based culture system yields DCs qualitatively and quantitatively comparable to the standard flask preparation. All steps including cryopreservation can be performed in a closed system facilitating standardized, safe, and reproducible preparation of therapeutic cells.     

Isolation of monocytes from leukapheretic products for large-scale GMP-grade generation of cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell lines by means of an automated elutriation device

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DC) act as antigen-presenting cells in immune response-mediated mechanisms against malignant cells and/or viral or fungal pathogens. CD14+ monocytes have been so far isolated by techniques of plastic adherence or by using immunomagnetic methods. Here the effectiveness of a commercially available cell separation system (Elutra, Gambro BCT) in the separation of monocytes and the large-scale production of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T-cell lines were investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Six mononuclear cell (MNC) collections were processed with the Elutra system. Monocyte-enriched fraction was differentiated into DCs by addition of granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor and interleukin (IL)-4. After 6 days of culture, DCs were matured in the presence of interferon (IFN)-gamma, IFN-alpha, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and poly(I:C) and pulsed with a pool of 48 MHC Class I and II-binding CMV peptides. Lymphocytes were then stimulated with mature autologous CMV peptide-pulsed DCs. RESULTS: After elutriation, the mean monocyte yield was 0.89 x 10(9) +/- 0.65 x 10(9), with a 51.0 +/- 31.6 percent recovery and a 51.1 +/- 35.4 percent purity. A significant correlation was observed when basal monocyte content was related to the postelutriation recovery (p < 0.0116). More than 60 percent of plated monocytes were differentiated into DCs, which after pulsing with CMV peptides, were able to stimulate a robust enrichment in CMV antigen-specific T cells in all tested samples (mean percentage of pentamer-positive CD8+ cells, 35% compared to the initial 2%). CONCLUSION: Our findings might be helpful for an appropriate MNC collection, to maximize the efficiency of the elutriation system and subsequently obtain an optimal monocyte-enriched yield for further DC generation and T-cell stimulation.     

A simple two-step culture system for the large-scale generation of mature and functional dendritic cells from umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells

BACKGROUND: In vitro generated dendritic cells (DCs) are widely used as adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy. The major sources for DC generation are monocytes and CD34+ cells. CD34+-derived DCs are less frequently used in clinical applications because it requires complex generation methods. Here a simple method for the large-scale generation of mature functional DCs from umbilical cord blood–derived CD34+ cells is described.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: CD34+ cells were first expanded with a combination of early acting growth factors in a medium containing autologous plasma. In the second step the DC precursors were further either enriched by plastic adherence or sorted on a cell sorter and differentiated as DCs. DCs generated by both methods were compared for their morphology, phenotype, and different functional variables.
RESULTS: This culture system provided a large-scale expansion of CD34+ cells giving a mean fold increase of 615. The majority of the expanded cells were interstitial DC precursors, that is, CD14+-positive cells. In vitro generated immature DCs could be matured into functional DCs by appropriate maturation stimuli. DCs generated by the plastic adherence method had a better cytokine profile and strong mixed leukocyte reaction compared to those generated by cell sorting.
CONCLUSION: A two-step culture system provides a large-scale expansion of CD34+ cells with a preferential lineage commitment toward CD14+ cells. Enrichment of these precursors with a simple plastic adherence technique results in generation of large numbers of mature, functional DCs. This method of in vitro DC generation will have applications in cancer immunotherapy.     

从单核细胞分化的树突状细胞的低温保存及其临床应用

树突状细胞（ｄｅｎｄｒｉｔｉｃｃｅｌｌｓ，ＤＣｓ）作为专职的抗原递呈细胞，已被广泛地应用于临床的肿瘤疫苗治疗，目前的临床方案大多为分次给病人注射〉１０＾６个细胞／次，不同批次培养的ＤＣｓ，连续４－６周，为了提高疗效，简化治疗程主规范疗程，有必要将ＤＣｓ低温保存，使患在治疗过程中得到同批次的培养的ＤＣｓ，本实验从患外周血采取单个核细胞，经细胞淘洗分离核细胞，在８００Ｕ／ｍｌＧＭ－ＣＳＦ＋１００ｎｇ／ｍｌＩＬ－１３的培养条件下，将单核细胞于Ｔｅｆｌｏｎ疏水袋中导产出ＤＣｓ，将ＤＣｓ以一１℃梯度降温及不控温两种方式将ＤＣｓ冻存于－８０℃及液氮中，１个月后，４２℃快速复温，检测其免疫表型（ＣＤ１ａ，ＣＤ１４，ＣＤ４０，ＣＤ８０，ＣＤ８３，ＣＤ８６，ＣＤ５４，ＣＤ５８，ＣＤ１６，ＣＤ３２，ＣＤ６４，ＨＬＡ－ＤＲ）及其     

可溶性抗CD47单抗对人树突细胞分化与功能的影响

目的探讨抗CD4 7可溶性单抗B6H12对树突细胞分化及功能的影响。方法利用rhGM CSF、IL 4、细菌脂多糖 (LPS)组合在体外诱导人外周血单核细胞为树突细胞 ,并在培养体系中添加单抗B6H12。以透射电镜观察树突细胞形态 ,流式细胞术分析树突细胞膜表面分子表达。半定量RT PCR法及ELISA法分别检测树突细胞IL 12mRNA表达水平及蛋白质含量。Brdu ELISA法检测树突细胞刺激同种异型淋巴细胞增殖能力。结果树突细胞膜表面有CD4 7高表达 (94 %～ 98% )。B6H12单抗处理的树突细胞组与未加B6H12单抗组比较 ,CD80 细胞为 (6 8.14± 7.4 1) %vs(89.17± 8.5 9) % ;CD86 细胞为 (6 7.33± 4 .71) %vs(87.2 7± 3.5 6 ) % ;CD83 细胞为 (40 .0 8± 14 .80 ) %vs(72 .77± 8.6 8) % ;CD1a 细胞为 (6 6 .4 5± 4 .0 6 ) %vs(95 .93± 3.0 3) % ,HLA DR 细胞为 (40 .6 7± 13.4 8) %vs(98.97± 1.0 1) %。B6H12单抗显著地下调树突细胞IL 12mRNA及IL 12 P70 表达水平 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,且Brdu掺入量也显著的降低 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　可溶性CD4 7单抗能影响人树突细胞向成熟分化 ,并抑制其功能。     

脐血间充质干细胞的体外培养及其表面标志变化

背景:目前有关脐血间充质干细胞的体外培养和大规模扩增方法不一,存在一定困难.目的:观察脐血间充质样干细胞体外分离和培养的方法,并检测其表面分子的变化.方法:取新鲜采集脐带血,用1.077 g/cm3的淋巴细胞分层液,密度梯度离心法分离脐血单个核细胞.将脐血单个核细胞接种于37℃、含体积分数为5%CO2培养箱内培养.于不同时间观察细胞形态的变化并通过流式细胞仪检测细胞表面分子的表达情况.结果与结论:从脐血中分离出的单个核细胞,培养中先出现大量的造血细胞集落,CFU-GM与BFU-E集落形成最多,集落分别增加了(37.1+2.3)和(10.4+1.7)倍,瑞氏染色显示这些细胞大多数为粒系的集落(80.1±85.2)%,其次为红系的细胞集落(14.2±1.8)%,7d后出现贴壁的扁平状上皮样细胞和长梭形成纤维样细胞,同时有大量的破骨样细胞混杂.扩增后第14天经流式细胞仪分析CD38+细胞为1.64%,CD34+/CD38+细胞为1_71%,CD34+/CD38-细胞为0.55%,PI+细胞为0.05%,Annexin-V+细胞为0.18%.随着培养时间的延长,细胞数目不断增加,培养21 d时,单个核细胞扩增了近7.8倍.,第28天增加了1.71倍.经流式细胞仪分析CD38+细胞为74.32%,CD34+/CD38+细胞为1.61%,CD34+/CD38-细胞为0.24%.提示脐血间充质干细胞可以体外培养.     

Effect of ex vivo culture duration on phenotype and cytokine production by mature dendritic cells derived from peripheral blood monocytes

BACKGROUND: To generate clinical-grade dendritic cells (DCs) ex vivo for immunotherapy trials, peripheral blood monocytes are typically cultured in granulocyte-macrophage–colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4 and then matured using one or more agents. Duration of the initial DC culture is one important variable that has not been systematically evaluated for its effect on the characteristics of the final mature DC product.
STUDY DESIGN: DCs were generated from elutriated peripheral blood monocytes by incubation in medium containing 2000 units per mL each of GM-CSF and IL-4 for 3 to 7 days, followed by maturation with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). DC yield, viability, flow cytometric phenotype, and cytokine production were evaluated.
RESULTS: The percentage yield and viability of mature DCs were similar after GM-CSF/IL-4 culture for 3 or 7 days. In either case, mature DCs expressed abundant CD80, CD86, CD83, and CCR7, but 3-day DCs expressed these antigens in a more consistent and homogeneous manner. Mature 3-day DCs produced much more IL-12 and less IL-10 after restimulation with CD40L-LTK than 7-day DCs. The former were also more effective in presenting immunogenic peptides to CD8 T cells. Analogous changes in cytokine production were observed in mature DCs prepared using lower concentrations of GM-CSF/IL-4 or when the alternative maturation cocktails poly(I:C)/IFN-γ and soluble CD40L/IFN-γ were used.
CONCLUSION: Extended initial culture of DCs in GM-CSF/IL-4 does not affect yield or viability of subsequently matured DCs, but can adversely affect their ability to homogeneously express high levels of functionally important surface molecules such as CD83 and CCR7 and to produce IL-12.     

Collection of autologous monocytes for dendritic cell vaccination therapy in metastatic melanoma patients

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) for immunotherapy of malignant melanoma can be generated from partially enriched monocytes prepared from PBMNCs. The feasibility of a single steady-state leukapheresis procedure to enrich monocytes for a complete vaccination series with up to 10 vaccinations was investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (27 males and 11 females) with metastatic melanoma were enrolled in the study. All leukapheresis procedures were performed by a continuous flow method (Spectra, Cobe BCT) with a standard MNC program. RESULTS: An average of 11.7 L (range, 8-14 L) of whole blood was processed within 197.3 +/- 23.7 minutes, and a mean of 13.5 +/- 5.7 x 109 WBCs in a final volume of 191.0 +/- 24.2 mL was collected. The MNC purity in the apheresis component was 81.5 +/- 15.1 percent, from which 29.8 +/- 14.7 percent were monocytes. Thus, 11.0 +/- 5.0 x 109 MNCs and 3.2 +/- 2.0 x 109 monocytes were collected per procedure. Linear regression analysis revealed a high correlation between the absolute number of monocytes in peripheral blood before the apheresis procedure and the number of monocytes in the collected component (r=0.74, p < 0.0001). For the generation of DCs, 1.6 +/- 0.8 x 109 MNCs were plated into culture dishes; 3.2 +/- 1.8 percent of the cultured cells matured to DCs, which resulted in 56.5 +/- 49.4 x 106 DCs (range, 6.3-178) per patient for the complete vaccination series. CONCLUSION: A target dose of monocytes for the complete vaccination series could be obtained by a single convenient, safe, steady-state leukapheresis procedure in each patient without the need for G-CSF mobilization. The absolute number of monocytes in peripheral blood before the apheresis procedure is the best predictive variable for the yield of monocytes in the apheresis component.     

Activation of tumor-infiltrating antigen presenting cells by high intensity focused ultrasound ablation of human breast cancer

Previous studies have shown that high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation can trigger activation of host antitumor responses after direct tumor destruction. The goal of this study was to investigate the status and functions of tumor-infiltrating antigen presenting cells (APCs) after HIFU ablation of human breast cancer, and to explore the mechanisms regarding HIFU-enhanced antitumor response. Forty-eight women with biopsy-proven breast cancer were divided randomly into a control group (n = 25) and a HIFU group (n = 23). Patients in the control group received modified radical mastectomy, and those in the HIFU group underwent HIFU ablation of primary breast cancer, followed by modified radical mastectomy within 1-2 weeks. Using immunohistochemical analysis, tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, B lymphocytes and expression of HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules on DCs and macrophages were assessed in all patients. The results showed that APCs infiltrated along the margins of the ablated regions in all HIFU-treated tumors, and numbers of tumor-infiltrating DCs, macrophages and B lymphocytes increased significantly in the HIFU group. Compared with the values in the control group, the percentage of DCs and macrophages expressing HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86 was significantly greater in the HIFU group. There were statistically significant differences between numbers of S-100(+) HLA-DR(+), S-100(+) CD80(+), S-100(+) CD86(+), CD68(+) HLA-DR(+), CD68(+) CD80(+) and CD68(+) CD86(+) cells in the control and HIFU groups, respectively. It was concluded that HIFU ablation induces significant infiltration of APCs within the residual tumor debris in patients with breast cancer, and most of the tumor-infiltrating DCs and macrophages were activated after HIFU ablation.     

肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素4对脐血CD34+造血干细胞来源的树突状细胞体外培养体系的影响

背景：造血干细胞是构筑免疫系统的最早的细胞，能分化为多种细胞，其中具有包括免疫应答调控树突状细胞。树突状细胞的诱导培养因前体细胞来源不同，所采用的细胞因子，及最佳的细胞因子配伍、应用顺序、实验室培养条件亦不相同，树突状细胞的发育、各种表型的表达及成熟度也不尽相同。目的：观察肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素4对脐血CD34＋造血干细胞来源的树突状细胞诱导培养体系的影响，探寻该培养体系优化方法。设计、时间及地点：观察性实验，于2005—03／11在南京医科大学微生物与免疫学实验室完成。材料：健康新生儿脐血为南京市八一医院产妇同意捐赠。CD34单克隆抗体-磁珠分离系统为德国MiltenyiBiotec公司产品；重组人粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（GM—CSF）、重组人白细胞介素4和重组人肿瘤坏死因子α为美国PeproTech公司产品。方法：淋巴细胞分离液分离获得脐血单个核细胞，免疫磁珠阳性分选CD34＋造血干细胞，并用流式细胞术鉴定CD34＋造血干细胞纯度；比较GT（GM-CSF＋肿瘤坏死因子α）方案和GTI（GM-CSF＋肿瘤坏死因子α＋白细胞介素4）方案及GTI方案中肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素4不同时段加入对诱导培养产生的树突状细胞成熟的影响；通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察细胞形态，流式细胞仪分析细胞表型及3H-TdR检测树突状细胞激发异体T细胞增殖能力。结果：免疫磁珠阳性分选CD34＋造血干细胞纯度可达90％以上。将CD34＋造血干细胞按GT方案和GTI方案进行培养，均可诱导产生树突状细胞，CD34的阳性表达率逐渐下降，HLA-DR的表达下降（P〈0．05），树突状细胞的相关分化抗原CD80，CD86，CD83和CDla的表达均相应增加，培养13～15d的细胞各表型表达较7-9d，10～12d充分。但经GT方案诱导的树突状细胞CD14表达较高，CD80，CD86，CD83，CD1α表达不如经GTI方案诱导的高；而GTI方案中，以肿瘤坏死因子Q0h、白细胞介素448h加入诱导培养的树突状细胞各表型表达相对较佳，其细胞表达CD80，CD86均较其他组高，尤以CD86表达为著，并具有激发异体T细胞增殖能力。结论：CD34＋造血干细胞经过合适的培养体系能够诱导分化为功能性树突状细胞，以GM-CSF与肿瘤坏死因子α0h加入、白细胞介素448h加入的GM-CSF＋肿瘤坏死因子α＋白细胞介素4方案更为可取。     

Freshly isolated Peyer's patch, but not spleen, dendritic cells produce interleukin 10 and induce the differentiation of T helper type 2 cells.

Orally administered antigens often generate immune responses that are distinct from those injected systemically. The role of antigen-presenting cells in determining the type of T helper cell response induced at mucosal versus systemic sites is unclear. Here we examine the phenotypic and functional differences between dendritic cells (DCs) freshly isolated from Peyer's patches (PP) and spleen (SP). Surface phenotypic analysis of CD11c(+) DC populations revealed that PP DCs expressed higher levels of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, but similar levels of costimulatory molecules and adhesion molecules compared with SP DCs. Freshly isolated, flow cytometrically sorted 98-100% pure CD11c(+) DC populations from PP and SP were compared for their ability to stimulate naive T cells. First, PP DCs were found to be much more potent in stimulating allogeneic T cell proliferation compared with SP DCs. Second, by using naive T cells from ovalbumin peptide-specific T cell receptor transgenic mice, these ex vivo DCs derived from PP, but not from SP, were found to prime for the production of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 (Th2 cytokines). In addition, PP DCs were found to prime T cells for the production of much lower levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma (Th1) compared with SP DCs. The presence of neutralizing antibody against IL-10 in the priming culture dramatically enhanced IFN-gamma production by T cells stimulated with PP DCs. Furthermore, stimulation of freshly isolated PP DCs via the CD40 molecule resulted in secretion of high levels of IL-10, whereas the same stimulus induced no IL-10 secretion from SP DCs. These results suggest that DCs residing in different tissues are capable of inducing distinct immune responses and that this may be related to the distinct cytokines produced by the DCs from these tissues.     

The CD16(+) (FcgammaRIII(+)) subset of human monocytes preferentially becomes migratory dendritic cells in a model tissue setting

Much remains to be learned about the physiologic events that promote monocytes to become lymph-homing dendritic cells (DCs). In a model of transendothelial trafficking, some monocytes become DCs in response to endogenous signals. These DCs migrate across endothelium in the ablumenal-to-lumenal direction (reverse transmigration), reminiscent of the migration into lymphatic vessels. Here we show that the subpopulation of monocytes that expresses CD16 (Fcgamma receptor III) is predisposed to become migratory DCs. The vast majority of cells derived from CD16(+) monocytes reverse transmigrated, and their presence was associated with migratory cells expressing high levels of CD86 and human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, and robust capacity to induce allogeneic T cell proliferation. A minority of CD16(-) monocytes reverse transmigrated, and these cells stimulated T cell proliferation less efficiently. CD16 was not functionally required for reverse transmigration, but promoted cell survival when yeast particles (zymosan) were present as a maturation stimulus in the subendothelial matrix. The cell surface phenotype and migratory characteristics of CD16(+) monocytes were inducible in CD16(-) monocytes by preincubation with TGFbeta1. We propose that CD16(+) monocytes may contribute significantly to precursors for DCs that transiently survey tissues and migrate to lymph nodes via afferent lymphatic vessels.     

Changes in immunological and virological parameters in HIV-1 infected subjects following leukapheresis

In order to assess immune responses during HIV-1 therapeutic immunization, a large number of blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are needed. Clinical tolerance and safety, as well as changes in immunological and virological parameters, were assessed, following leukapheresis in HIV-1 infected subjects with CD4(+) cell count >200 x 10(6)/l. PBMC were collected using a Fenwal CS3000 cell separator in 29 subjects with mean CD4(+) cell counts of 503 x 10(6)/l (range 172-1,119) and viral load of 2.5 log(10) copies/ml (range <1.7-5.4). Twenty-four (83%) subjects were on antiretroviral therapy while 5 (17%) were untreated. The blood volume processed was 7 L over a period of 3 hours. A mean value (+/- standard error) of 82 +/- 26 x 10(9)/l lymphocytes was collected by a single apheresis in a mean volume of 200 +/- 1.8 ml, containing 9.0 +/- 1.3 x 10(9)/l CD4(+) and 10.2 +/- 1.3 x 10(9)/l CD8(+) cells. The leukapheresis procedures were well tolerated and no immediate or delayed side effects were observed within 90 days of follow-up. No changes from blood pre-leukapheresis values were detected for white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, CD8(+), CD34(+), naive and memory CD4(+) cell counts immediately after, 1 h, 7 days, or within 90 days after leukapheresis. However, absolute CD4(+) cell counts and percentage significantly increased from pre-leukapheresis values after 1 h (530 +/- 43 vs. 700 +/- 75 cell x 10(6)/l; 32.6 +/- 1.6 vs. 36.9 +/- 1.9%; P < 0.001 for both paired t-tests) before returning to pre-leukapheresis levels on day 7. No significant changes in viral load from pre-leukapheresis levels in treated or untreated subjects were detected at any time points. We conclude that leukapheresis in HIV-1 infected subjects with CD4(+) cell counts >200 x 10(6)/l is safe and induces a transient increase in the absolute and percentage of CD4(+) cell count without enhancing viral replication.     

CD8(+) but not CD8(-) dendritic cells cross-prime cytotoxic T cells in vivo

Bone marrow-derived antigen-presenting cells (APCs) take up cell-associated antigens and present them in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules to CD8(+) T cells in a process referred to as cross-priming. Cross-priming is essential for the induction of CD8(+) T cell responses directed towards antigens not expressed in professional APCs. Although in vitro experiments have shown that dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are capable of presenting exogenous antigens in association with MHC class I, the cross-presenting cell in vivo has not been identified. We have isolated splenic DCs after in vivo priming with ovalbumin-loaded beta2-microglobulin-deficient splenocytes and show that they indeed present cell-associated antigens in the context of MHC class I molecules. This process is transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP) dependent, suggesting an endosome to cytosol transport. To determine whether a specific subset of splenic DCs is involved in this cross-presentation, we negatively and positively selected for CD8(-) and CD8(+) DCs. Only the CD8(+), and not the CD8(-), DC subset demonstrates cross-priming ability. FACS((R)) studies after injection of splenocytes loaded with fluorescent beads showed that 1 and 0.6% of the CD8(+) and the CD8(-) DC subsets, respectively, had one or more associated beads. These results indicate that CD8(+) DCs play an important role in the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses specific for cell-associated antigens.     

单用A23187快速诱导K562细胞分化成树突细胞的研究

目的探索一种快速、简便、廉价而高效获取树突细胞(DC)的方法。方法通过单用A23187、A23187+GMCSF或联合细胞因子(GMCSF、IL4及TNFα)将K562细胞诱导分化为DC(K562DC),倒置显微镜下观察细胞形态并摄相,流式细胞术检测K562DC表面分子表达情况。用MTT法检测K562DC刺激异基因淋巴细胞增殖及介导T细胞杀伤靶细胞的能力。结果上述3种细胞因子组合均能诱导K562细胞向成熟DC分化,均高表达CD1a、CD80、HLADR、CD83和CD86;含A23187的两组诱导72h获得DC数量分别为(69.5±17.2)%、(73.1±13.9)%,均高于细胞因子组的诱导率[(28.5±12.3)%],也高于细胞因子组诱导7d后的诱导率[(51.2±10.7)%](P值均<0.05);诱导7d后,含A23187的两组诱导的DC低表达CD1a,分别为(8.2±2.3)%和(10.3±5.1)%,而CD83表达分别高达(85.6±8.8)%和(82.4±9.1)%,而细胞因子组CD1a和CD83表达率分别为(17.2±1.6)%和(77.4±12.9)%;3组所获得的DC在对异基因淋巴细胞的刺激增殖能力及其致敏T细胞对靶细胞的杀伤作用差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05)。结论单用A23187可快速(72h以内)诱导K562细胞向成熟DC转化,与联合细胞因子相比,该方法所获得的DC更趋成熟从而更适用于临床免疫治疗。单用A23187快速诱导白血病细胞生成DC是一种快速、简便、廉价而高效获取DC的方法。