Fusion of dendritic cells and CD34+CD38- acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells potentiates targeting AML-initiating cells by specific CTL induction

J Immunother. 2009 May;32(4):408-14. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0b013e3181a01abb.

Abstract

Distinct leukemia-initiating cells (L-ICs) represent a critical target for therapeutic intervention of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A potential strategy to eradicate L-ICs is to generate L-IC-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). However, owing to rarity and immortality of L-ICs, it is difficult for antigen-presenting cells to capture L-ICs for specific antigen presentation. Here, we report a novel approach by fusing allogeneic dendritic cells (DCs) and CD34CD38 AML progenitor cells, through which specific CTLs were effectively induced, leading to the cytolysis to AML-initiating cells. Fusion of either DC/CD34CD38 AML cell or DC/CD34 AML cell could effectively induce the proliferation and activation of CTLs. However, only the former CTLs could effectively attack AML progenitor cells, and result in the unkilled progenitor/initiating cells losing the abilities of active proliferation in vitro and engraftment in NOD-SCID mice. These findings suggest that AML progenitor/initiating cell-specific CTLs may be generated based on allogeneic DC/progenitor cell fusion strategy; the induced CTLs may potentially eradicate AML by targeting L-ICs directly or indirectly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / immunology
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD34 / immunology
  • Cell Fusion
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / immunology*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1