Lipopolysaccharide preferentially induces 4-1BB ligand expression on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) represent a promising tool for immunotherapy. A key feature in their action is to provide co-stimulatory signals for full activation of T cells. In view of recent studies demonstrating the critical role of 4-1BB co-stimulation in T cell response, it is of importance to optimize 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) expression on human monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs), the DC source of many clinical studies. In this study, two types of MDDCs, generated in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 (GM-CSF/IL-4-DCs) or in interferon-β and IL-3 (IFN-β/IL-3-DCs), were analyzed for 4-1BBL expression in response to several known DC activators. Immature MDDCs expressed 4-1BBLs at very low levels. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was the only activator that preferentially triggered 4-1BBL expression on either MDDCs, but 4-1BBL-positive cells were significantly more frequently observed on LPS-activated GM-CSF/IL-4-DCs (30.2±2.6% versus 14.3±1.2%). Combinations of multiple activating signals did not bring about enhanced 4-1BBL stimulatory capacity. In addition, plasmid DNA transfection and necrotic cell pulsing of GM-CSF/IL-4-DCs for antigen loading also resulted in 4-1BBL up-regulation. However, in all circumstances, the induced 4-1BBL levels were low in comparison with CD80 co-stimulatory molecule. Finally, by demonstrating LPS-matured GM-CSF/IL-4-DCs from sorted 4-1BBL^high population augmented T cell expansion and survival, we propose that efforts are required to increase 4-1BBL levels on MDDCs achieved by current activation schemes.