Phenotypic analysis of monocyte-derived dendritic cells loaded with tumor antigen with heat-shock cognate protein-70.

Background/aim: The cross-presentation system of tumor antigen by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mo-DCs) has been observed under appropriate conditions. Both CD14-negative and CD1a-positive phenotypes were critical in our previous study. This study compared the phenotype of mo-DCs and identified the conditions that favored T helper-1 (Th1) cytokine production after stimulation with the hsc70 and NY-ESO-1 p157-165 epitope fusion protein (hsc70/ESO p157-165).

Materials And Methods: The mo-DCs were induced from healthy donors. Their surface markers and cytokine production were examined after stimulation with hsc70/ESO p157-165.

Results: CD1a(+) and CD1a(-) mo-DCs were generated in half of the healthy donors. The concentration of fetal calf serum in the culture medium was critical for the induction of CD1a(+) DCs, which were able to produce interleukin-12 (IL-12), but not IL-10. Neutralizing IL-6 and IL-6R antibodies affected the expression of CD1a.

Conclusion: Anti IL-6 analogs may be effective adjuvants for the development of mo-DC-based cancer vaccine.