Peptide-loaded Major Histocompatibility Complex class II on autologous dendritic cells (pMHCII-DC)

Peptide-loaded Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II on autologous dendritic cells is a therapeutic entity used to orchestrate highly specific immune responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that play a critical role in bridging innate and adaptive immunity by presenting processed antigens to T cells (Banchereau & Steinman, 1998, Nature). In this therapeutic modality, a patient's own dendritic cells are isolated and loaded with specific peptides, such as tumor-associated antigens, which are then presented on the cell surface via MHC class II molecules (Mellman & Steinman, 2001, Cell). These complexes are recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD4+ helper T cells, leading to their activation and the subsequent recruitment of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and B cells (Sabado et al., 2017, Cell Research). This approach is a cornerstone of dendritic cell vaccines, such as Sipuleucel-T, which was the first FDA-approved cellular immunotherapy for cancer (Kantoff et al., 2010, NEJM). Beyond oncology, this platform is being investigated for its potential to induce immune tolerance in the context of autoimmune diseases by presenting self-antigens in a non-inflammatory context (Fousteri & von Herrath, 2008, Diabetologia).

Other names

Antigen-pulsed dendritic cellsDendritic cell vaccinePeptide-loaded MHC-IIAutologous antigen-presenting cellspMHCII-expressing autologous DCs

Presentation of specific antigenic peptides to CD4+ T-cell receptors (TCR) to initiate a targeted immune response or induce tolerance.