title: IFN-alpha in the generation of dendritic cells for cancer immunotherapy.
abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in linking innate and adaptive immunity, by virtue of their unique ability to take up and process antigens in the peripheral blood and tissues and, upon migration to draining lymph nodes, to present antigen to resting lymphocytes. Notably, these DC functions are modulated by cytokines and chemokines controlling the activation and maturation of these cells, thus shaping the response towards either immunity or tolerance.An ensemble of recent studies have emphasized an important role of type I IFNs in the DC differentiation/activation, suggesting the existence of a natural alliance between these cytokines and DCs in linking innate and adaptive immunity. Herein, we will review how type I IFNs can promote the ex vivo differentiation of human DCs and orient DC functions towards the priming and expansion of protective antitumor immune responses. We will also discuss how the knowledge on type I IFN-DC interactions could be exploited for the design of more selective and effective strategies of cancer immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Section of Experimental Immunotherapy, Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, 299, 00161 Italy. stefano.santini@iss.it
authors.forename: Stefano Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lapenta
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santodonato
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Belardelli
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrantini
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016898:Interferon-alpha