Immunity to murine prostatic tumors: continuous provision of T-cell help prevents CD8 T-cell tolerance and activates tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells

Cancer Res. 2009 Aug 1;69(15):6256-64. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-4516. Epub 2009 Jul 21.

Abstract

We reported previously that tumor-specific CD8(+) T cells (TcR-I) become tolerant in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. In this study, we show that CD4(+) TcR transgenic (TcR-II) T cells transferred into TRAMP mice became activated in lymph nodes, trafficked to the prostate, and initially functioned as T(H)1 cells. Although a single cotransfer of TcR-II cells delayed TcR-I cell tolerization, repeated transfer of TcR-II cells was required to prevent TcR-I cell tolerization and significantly slowed progression of TRAMP prostate tumors. After transfer of TcR-II cells, dendritic cells within the tumor expressed higher levels of costimulatory molecules and displayed an enhanced ability to stimulate proliferation of naive T cells. Blockade of CD40-CD40L interactions during TcR-II transfer resulted in a profound reduction in dendritic cell stimulatory capacity and a partial loss of TcR-I effector functions and tumor immunity. These data show that sustained provision of activated tumor-specific CD4(+) T cells alters the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, ultimately leading to the control of tumor growth. These findings will assist in the design of more effective immunotherapeutic approaches for cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / immunology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD40 Antigens / antagonists & inhibitors
  • CD40 Antigens / immunology
  • CD40 Ligand / antagonists & inhibitors
  • CD40 Ligand / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • CD40 Antigens
  • CD40 Ligand