title: Immunological Characterization of Whole Tumour Lysate-Loaded Dendritic Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dendritic cells play a key role as initiators of T-cell responses, and even if tumour antigen-loaded dendritic cells can induce anti-tumour responses, their efficacy has been questioned, suggesting a need to enhance immunization strategies.
  We focused on the characterization of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells pulsed with whole tumour lysate (TAA-DC), as a source of known and unknown antigens, in a mouse model of breast cancer (MMTV-Ras). Dendritic cells were evaluated for antigen uptake and for the expression of MHC class I/II and costimulatory molecules and markers associated with maturation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that antigen-loaded dendritic cells are characterized by a phenotypically semi-mature/mature profile and by the upregulation of genes involved in antigen presentation and T-cell priming. Activated dendritic cells stimulated T-cell proliferation and induced the production of high concentrations of IL-12p70 and IFN-γ but only low levels of IL-10, indicating their ability to elicit a TH1-immune response. Furthermore, administration of Antigen loaded-Dendritic Cells in MMTV-Ras mice evoked a strong anti-tumour response in vivo as demonstrated by a general activation of immunocompetent cells and the release of TH1 cytokines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data herein could be useful in the design of antitumoral DC-based therapies, showing a specific activation of immune system against breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco", Chair of Immunology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rainone
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Segrate, Milan, Italy.|Centre of Molecular and Cellular Imaging-IMAGO, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Segrate, Milan, Italy.|Centre of Molecular and Cellular Imaging-IMAGO, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.|Institute for Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council (CNR), Segrate, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ottobrini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco", Chair of Immunology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biasin
authors.affiliation: BU Oncology, Nerviano Medical Sciences, viale Pasteur 10, 20014 Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Texido
authors.affiliation: BU Oncology, Nerviano Medical Sciences, viale Pasteur 10, 20014 Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Degrassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco", Chair of Immunology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borelli
authors.affiliation: Centre of Molecular and Cellular Imaging-IMAGO, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.|Departments of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.|Department of Diagnostic Services, Unit of Nuclear Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lucignani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco", Chair of Immunology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trabattoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Segrate, Milan, Italy.|Don C. Gnocchi Foundation IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; C556062:IL10 protein, mouse; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma