Project description:Therapeutic cancer vaccination seeks to elicit activation of tumor-reactive T cells capable of recognizing tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and eradicating malignant cells. Here, we present a cancer vaccination approach utilizing myeloid lineage reprogramming to directly convert cancer cells into tumor reprogrammed-APCs (TR-APCs). Using syngeneic murine leukemia models, we demonstrate that TR-APCs acquire both myeloid phenotype and function, process and present endogenous TAAs, and potently stimulate TAA-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In vivo TR-APC induction elicits clonal expansion of cancer-specific T cells, establishes cancer-specific immune memory, and ultimately promotes leukemia eradication. We further show that both hematologic cancers and solid tumors, including sarcomas and carcinomas, are amenable to myeloid-lineage reprogramming into TR-APCs. Finally, we demonstrate the clinical applicability of this approach by generating TR-APCs from primary clinical specimens and stimulating autologous patient-derived T cells. Thus, TR-APCs represent a cancer vaccination therapeutic strategy with broad implications for clinical immuno-oncology.
Project description:Therapeutic cancer vaccination seeks to elicit activation of tumor-reactive T cells capable of recognizing tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and eradicating malignant cells. Here, we present a cancer vaccination approach utilizing myeloid lineage reprogramming to directly convert cancer cells into tumor reprogrammed-APCs (TR-APCs). Using syngeneic murine leukemia models, we demonstrate that TR-APCs acquire both myeloid phenotype and function, process and present endogenous TAAs, and potently stimulate TAA-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In vivo TR-APC induction elicits clonal expansion of cancer-specific T cells, establishes cancer-specific immune memory, and ultimately promotes leukemia eradication. We further show that both hematologic cancers and solid tumors, including sarcomas and carcinomas, are amenable to myeloid-lineage reprogramming into TR-APCs. Finally, we demonstrate the clinical applicability of this approach by generating TR-APCs from primary clinical specimens and stimulating autologous patient-derived T cells. Thus, TR-APCs represent a cancer vaccination therapeutic strategy with broad implications for clinical immuno-oncology.
Project description:Ectopic expression of transcription factors has been used to reprogram differentiated somatic cells toward pluripotency or to directly reprogram them to other somatic cell lineages. This concept has been explored in the context of regenerative medicine. Here, we set out to generate dendritic cells (DCs) capable of presenting antigens from mouse and human fibroblasts. By screening combinations of 18 transcription factors that are expressed in DCs, we have identified PU.1, IRF8, and BATF3 transcription factors as being sufficient to reprogram both mouse and human fibroblasts to induced DCs (iDCs). iDCs acquire a conventional DC type 1–like transcriptional program, with features of interferon-induced maturation. iDCs secrete inflammatory cytokines and have the ability to engulf, process, and present antigens to T cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that murine iDCs generated here were able to cross-present antigens to CD8+ T cells. Our reprogramming system should facilitate better understanding of DC specification programs and serve as a platform for the development of patient-specific DCs for immunotherapy.
Project description:Transcriptional profiles of four different myeloid antigen presenting cell (APC) subsets (BDCA-1+ circulating myeloid dendritic cells, CD14+ monocytes, and in vitro generated immature and mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells) were used for comprehensive transcriptome analysis. Based on the gene expression profiling data, a quantitative relationship between myeloid APC in functionally related gene spaces was established. Keywords = myeloid antigen presenting cells Keywords = dendritic cell subsets Keywords: repeat sample
Project description:Dr. van Kooyk's laboratory is exploring the function of antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DC), that regulate viral-antigen recognition, DC trafficking and T cell binding--all processes that initiate immunity or tolerance. Essential in this is the recognition of ligands by C-type lectins and the functional consequences of differential terminal glycosylation that may regulate DC function. In this study, the gene expression profile of glycosylation-related genes is examined in relation to the maturation of human antigen-presenting cells. Two pooled RNA samples, one each from immature and mature human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, were prepared and sent to Microarray Core (E). The RNA was amplified, labeled, and hybridized to the GLYCOv3 microarrays.
Project description:Lung antigen presenting cells isolated from wild type but not Spp1-/- mice induce Th1 and Th17 cells differentiation. The goal of this study is to identify the genes differentially expressed by lung antigen presenting cells from cigarette smoke exposed mice. These genes may play crucial roles in directing Th1 and Th17 cells differentiation. Lung antigen presenting cells were isolated from lungs of two groups of wild type and Spp1-/- mice that have been exposed to cigarette smoke for 4 months. Total mRNA was extracted from these samples.