title: Genetically engineered fibroblasts with antigen-presenting capability: efficient induction of an antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response and protection against tumor development in vivo.
abstract: BLK mouse fibroblasts (H-2b) were genetically engineered to express costimulatory B7.1 and interleukin-2 (BLK/IL2/B7.1). The BLK/IL2/B7.1 cells were then pulsed with an ovalbumin (OVA) epitope as a model antigen (Ag) (BLK/IL2/B7.1/OVA), and tested for the induction of OVA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in C57BL/6 mice (H-2b). The genetically engineered fibroblasts lacking one or two of three factors (interleukin-2, B7.1, and OVA) were constructed and used as controls. Immunization with the BLK/IL2/B7.1/OVA cells induced strong cytotoxic activities against OVA-expressing EL4 (EG7) tumor cells, but not against other H-2b tumor cells, such as EL4, C1498 and B16F1 cells. The magnitude of the cytotoxic response in mice with the BLK/IL2/B7.1/OVA cells was significantly higher than the response in mice immunized with any other cell constructs. CD8+ T cells with OVA-specific cytotoxic activities were predominant in mice immunized with the BLK/IL2/B7.1/OVA cells. Furthermore, immunization with the BLK/IL2/B7.1/OVA cells significantly prolonged the survival of mice, compared with any other cell constructs, when the mice were challenged with EG7 tumor cells at 2 weeks postimmunization. Induction of antitumoral CTL immunity by the BLK/IL2/B7.1/OVA cells was independent of host Ag-presenting cells and of CD4+ T-cell and natural killer 1.1+ cell help. These results suggest that fibroblasts can be genetically modified to efficient Ag-presenting cells for the induction of an Ag-specific CTL response.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Kwangju, Republic of Korea. taekim@chonnam.chonnam.ac.kr
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: B Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D007114:Immunization; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000637:transplantation
chemical_list: D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D000939:Epitopes; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010047:Ovalbumin