Phenotypic analysis of monocyte-derived dendritic cells loaded with tumor antigen with heat-shock cognate protein-70

Background/Aim: The cross-presentation system of tumor antigen by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mo-DCs) has been observed under appropriate conditions. Both CD14- negative and CD1a-positive phenotypes were critical in our previous study. This study compared the phenotype of mo-DCs and identified the conditions that favored T helper-1 (Th1) cytokine production after stimulation with the hsc70 and NY-ESO- 1 p157-165 epitope fusion protein (hsc70/ESO p157- 165). Materials and Methods: The mo-DCs were induced from healthy donors. Their surface markers and cytokine production were examined after stimulation with hsc70/ESO p157-165. Results: CD1a⁺ and CD1a^- mo-DCs were generated in half of the healthy donors. The concentration of fetal calf serum in the culture medium was critical for the induction of CD1a⁺ DCs, which were able to produce interleukin-12 (IL-12), but not IL-10. Neutralizing IL-6 and IL-6R antibodies affected the expression of CD1a. Conclusion: Anti IL-6 analogs may be effective adjuvants for the development of mo-DC-based cancer vaccine.