Effects of N-acetyl-glucosamine-coated glycodendrimers as biological modulators in the B16F10 melanoma model in vivo

Int J Oncol. 2003 Aug;23(2):285-96.

Abstract

Glyco-coat changes on cancer cells due to aberrant glycosylation are potential targets for immune recognition through lectin-like receptors on immune cells. These cells include natural killer (NK), CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes, all reported to have, together with cytokines, important functions in antitumor immunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible role of synthetic monodisperse multivalent neo-glycoconjugates, namely glycodendrimers, as a new approach to anticancer immune modulation through carbohydrate-mediated immune recognition. Octavalent polyamidoamine dendrimers functionalized with N-acetyl-glucosamine residues (PAMAM-GlcNAc8), with in vitro high affinity for the recombinant lymphocyte receptor NKR-P1A, were employed. To follow the fate of the compound, a fluorescent marker was conjugated to the tetra-branched semi-component of the dendrimer. Tumor development and immunity were evaluated in C57BL/6 mice. Animals were inoculated with B16F10 melanoma cells and underwent different protocols of PAMAM-GlcNAc8 administration. Advantages on survival and reduction of tumor growth were obtained in dose-dependent manner, by IP route. Increase of CD69+ cells in the spleen and their appearance inside the tumors, early progressive release of IL-1beta, a later production of INFgamma and IL-2 concomitant to an increment of CD4+ cells were observed. Cytotoxicity assays, performed ex vivo, showed an enhanced NK cell activity proportioned to the percentage of activated NK cells. Our data suggest that well-defined multivalent neo-glycoconjugates can stimulate an antitumor immune response engaging both innate and acquired immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosamine / administration & dosage*
  • Acetylglucosamine / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Dendrimers
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Glycoconjugates / administration & dosage*
  • Glycoconjugates / chemistry
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Male
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Polyamines / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Cytokines
  • Dendrimers
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Glycoconjugates
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • PAMAM Starburst
  • Polyamines
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Acetylglucosamine