Human dendritic cells pulsed with specific lipopeptides stimulate autologous antigen-specific T cells without the addition of exogenous maturation factors

Abstract

Serum-free culture conditions to generate immature human monocyte-derived DC (Mo-DC) were optimized, and the parameters that influence their maturation after exposure to lipopeptides containing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes were examined. The lipopeptides contained a single CD4 + helper T-cell epitopes, one of a number of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted cytotoxic T-cell epitope and the lipid Pam2Cys. To ensure complete maturation of the Mo-DC, we examined (i) the optimal lipopeptide concentration, (ii) the optimal Mo-DC density and (iii) the appropriate period of exposure of the Mo-DC to the lipopeptides. The results showed that a high dose of lipopeptide (30 μm) was no more effi..