Updated technology to produce highly immunogenic dendritic cell-derived exosomes of clinical grade: a critical role of interferon-γ

J Immunother. 2011 Jan;34(1):65-75. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0b013e3181fe535b.

Abstract

Dendritic cell-derived exosomes (Dex) are nanovesicles bearing major histocompatibility complexes promoting T-cell-dependent antitumor effects in mice. Two phase I clinical trials aimed at vaccinating cancer patients with peptide-pulsed Dex have shown the feasibility and safety of inoculating clinical-grade Dex, but have failed to show their immunizing capacity. These low immunogenic capacities have led us to develop second-generation Dex with enhanced immunostimulatory properties. Here, we show that interferon-γ is a key cytokine conditioning the dendritic cell to induce the expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, and CD54 on Dex, endowing them with direct and potent peptide-dependent CD8(+) T-cell-triggering potential in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we describe the clinical grade process to manufacture large-scale interferon-γ-Dex vaccines and their quality control parameters currently used in a phase II trial.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • B7-1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-2 Antigen / genetics
  • CD40 Antigens
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cancer Vaccines* / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines* / therapeutic use
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Exosomes / immunology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Interferon-gamma