Immunohistological analysis of peptide-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity in advanced melanoma patients treated with melanoma antigen-pulsed mature monocyte-derived dendritic cell vaccination.
BACKGROUND
In melanoma patients vaccinated with monocyte-derived melanoma peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DC), the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions have been examined as a surrogate marker to determine if acquired immunity is induced by DC vaccination. To date, however, only limited information has been reported as for histopathological analyses of DTH.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate tumor-specific immunomonitoring histopathologically after DC vaccination in melanoma patients.


METHODS
Seven patients previously vaccinated with monocyte-derived melanoma peptide-pulsed DCs were challenged with recall antigenic peptide injection in the skin of the forearm. Using immunohistochemical techniques, the presence of immune cells and the expression of CD4, CD8, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, Foxp3, CD1a, CD1d, and interferon (IFN)-gamma was investigated at the site of injection where a DTH reaction developed.


RESULTS
Strong DTH reactions from infiltrated erythema to bullae formation were detected in all 7 cases. Biopsies taken from the DTH site revealed heavy infiltration of mononuclear cells and eosinophils in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Cells staining positively for CD4, CD8, IL-2, IL-4, Foxp3, CD1d, and IFN-gamma were increased at the site 48h after antigen injection in all cases. Cells positive for IL-10 were never found in any patient. Regulatory T cells appeared 6h after injection and reached their maximum at day 7.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant induction of CD8(+)T cells as well as both Th1 and Th2-type cells at the site of DTH suggests that effective antigen presentation leading to anti-tumor immune responses has taken place. Inhibitory mechanisms may also develop as the disappearance of the DTH response could be related to an increase in Foxp3+ cells.
Nakai
Noriaki
N
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. nnakai@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp
Katoh
Norito
N
Germeraad
Wilfred T V
WT
Kishida
Tsunao
T
Ueda
Eiichiro
E
Takenaka
Hideya
H
Mazda
Osam
O
Kishimoto
Saburo
S
D000368:Aged; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines