Aim: To investigate the influence of different stimulators on cytokines secretion of tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) cells and study antitumor effects and mechanism of TDLN cells.
Methods: IL-12 p70, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and NO which were secreted by TDLN cells induced by different stimulators (IL-2 group, IL-2+autologous tumor antigen group, IL-2+GM-CSF+IL-4+autologous tumor antigen group and IL-2+GM-CSF+IL-4+LPS group) were detected by ELISA and Griess after TDLN cells were stimulated for 7, 14 and 21 d.
Results: The rate of CD83(+) cells of TDLN cells induced by IL-2+GM-CSF+IL-4+autologous tumor antigen and IL-2+GM-CSF+IL-4+LPS was significantly increased. The TDLN cells in the two groups secreted much more IL-12 p70, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha than IL-2 group and IL-2+autologous tumor antigen group. The TDLN cells stimulated by IL-2+GM-CSF+IL-4+LPS secreted significantly more NO than the other three groups. TDLN cells in each group secreted IL-12 p70, IFN-gamma and NO at the highest level after TDLN cells were stimulated for 14 d.
Conclusion: Different stimulators can make TDLN cells produce different number of CD83(+) cells (DC), which gives TDLN cells different antitumor activity.