Activation of dendritic cells and natural killer cells by leukemia cells loaded with Toll-like receptor ligand: development of a new generation of leukemia vaccines.

In this project we will investigate the influence of acute myeloid leukemia cells loaded with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands on the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells. The hypothesis is that leukemia cells loaded with TLR ligands are capable of activating the recently discovered helper function of NK cells, so these NK cells can effectuate the polarization of immature DCs to T helper type 1 (Th1)-polarised DCs (DC1NK). This cross-talk between the innate and adaptive immune system in which DC1NK play a central role, would then facilitate the activation of antigen-specific Th1 cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Keywords:VACCINES, LEUKEMIA, DENDRITIC CELLS

Disciplines:Systems biology, Hematology, Immunology, Laboratory medicine, Morphological sciences, Oncology