[Changes in the immune function of dendritic cells (DC) derived from HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient's peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) pulsed with tumor antigen].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the phenotype and immune function of dendritic cells derived from HBV-related HCC patients's peripheral blood monocytes pulsed with soluble tumor antigen, and their relation to immune escape.


METHODS
Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from 18 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, 11 HBV-related liver cirrhosis patients (LC) and 10 health blood donors; DCs were induced in the completed medium containing GM-CSF and IL-4. The morphology of DCs was studied using a confocal microscope and scanning electronic microscope, and the phenotype of DCs were detected by flow cytometric analysis. The mixed leucocyte reaction test was employed to determine the stimulatory capacity of DCs before and after being pulsed with soluble tumor antigen (prepared from HCCLM6 cell line). IL-12 ELISA kit was used to investigate IL-12 secretion of DCs in the supernate of MLR.


RESULTS
The amount of PBMC and DCs was significantly lower in LC and HCC compare to those in the healthy subjects; the expression levels of HLA-DR, CD1a, CD80 and CD86 on DC surfaces were lower in LC and HCC patients than those of the healthy group; the stimulating capacity of DC in MLR and levels of IL-12 in supernate of MLR were also lower in LC and HCC, but were enhanced after tumor antigen pulsed in all three groups, particularly in the LC group; the secretion of IL-12 in MLR supernate was still lower than that of the healthy group.


CONCLUSIONS
The phenotype and function defects of DC derived from PBMC of LC and HCC patients might play a key role in immune escape in HBV infection and HCC. The function of DC of LC patients can be enhanced after the tumor was antigen-pulsed.
Wong
Yong-qiang
YQ
Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Qiu
Shuang-jian
SJ
Tang
Zhao-you
ZY
Ye
Sheng-long
SL
Liu
Yin-kun
YK
Fan
Jia
J
Sun
Rui-xia
RX
Zhao
Yan
Y
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015847:Interleukin-4; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor