Anti-tumor activity of dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cells (DC-CIKs) sensitized to HER2 against HER-positive breast cancer cells

• Published in: Genetics and molecular research 2016-04, Vol.15 (2)
• Main Authors: Wen, Y Y, Hu, X S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - immunology; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells - immunology; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Epitopes - immunology; Female; Humans; Interferon-gamma - genetics; Interferon-gamma - metabolism; Interleukin-12 - genetics; Interleukin-12 - metabolism; MCF-7 Cells; Receptor, ErbB-2 - immunology
• ISSN: 1676-5680; 1676-5680
• DOI: 10.4238/gmr.15027853

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of cytokine-induced killer cells (CIKs) and Her2 epitope peptide-sensitized dendritic cells (DCs), when co-cultured with Her2-positive MCF-7 cells. DCs were separated from the Her epitope peptide-sensitized peripheral blood; the Her epitope combines directly with the MHC-II molecule on the DC surface. The DCs were co-cultured with autologous CIKs. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and ELISA kits were used to detect cytotoxicity of CIKs against MCF-7 breast cancer cells; IL-12 and IFN-γ levels were also analyzed in the supernatant of the culture medium. CIKs activated by DCs sensitized by anchored Her polypeptide antigen have greater cytotoxicity against MCF-7 than CIKs alone or non-anchored antigen sensitized DCs-CIKs (P < 0.01); the IL-12 and IFN-γ levels in the supernatant were higher than that of the control (P < 0.01). In conclusion, DCs anchored by polypeptide antigen alone or in combination with effector cells can be used to develop therapeutic DC vaccines against breast cancer.