An epigenetic vaccine model active in the prevention and treatment of melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Numerous immune genes are epigenetically silenced in tumor cells and agents such as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), which reverse these effects, could potentially be used to develop therapeutic vaccines. The conversion of cancer cells to antigen presenting cells (APCs) by HDACi treatment could potentially provide an additional pathway, together with cross-presentation of tumor antigens by host APCs, to establish tumor immunity.


METHODS
HDACi-treated B16 melanoma cells were used in a murine vaccine model, lymphocyte subset depletion, ELISpot and Cytotoxicity assays were employed to evaluate immunity. Antigen presentation assays, vaccination with isolated apoptotic preparations and tumorigenesis in MHC-deficient mice and radiation chimeras were performed to elucidate the mechanisms of vaccine-induced immunity.


RESULTS
HDACi treatment enhanced the expression of MHC class II, CD40 and B7-1/2 on B16 cells and vaccination with HDACi-treated melanoma cells elicited tumor specific immunity in both prevention and treatment models. Cytotoxic and IFN-gamma-producing cells were identified in splenocytes and CD4+, CD8+ T cells and NK cells were all involved in the induction of immunity. Apoptotic cells derived from HDACi treatments, but not H2O2, significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the vaccine. HDACi-treated B16 cells become APCs in vitro and studies in chimeras defective in cross presentation demonstrate direct presentation in vivo and short-term but not memory responses and long-term immunity.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of this vaccine derives mainly from cross-presentation which is enhanced by HDACi-induced apoptosis. Additionally, epigenetic activation of immune genes may contribute to direct antigen presentation by tumor cells. Epigenetically altered cancer cells should be further explored as a vaccine strategy.
Khan
A Nazmul H
AN
Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA. anmnazmul.khan@roswellpark.org
Magner
William J
WJ
Tomasi
Thomas B
TB
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D051379:Mice; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007371:Interferon-gamma