In this thesis we describe our studies aimed at optimizing the efficacy of synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccines via the encapsulation in Poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)particles.... Show moreIn this thesis we describe our studies aimed at optimizing the efficacy of synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccines via the encapsulation in Poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)particles. Immunotherapy based on SLP-vaccines has resulted in strong tumor specific immune response and importantly, improved clinical benefit in patients with pre-malignant lesions. One important drawback associated with SLP-vaccines is their current form of administration in Montanide, a clinical grade water-in-oil emulsion. The aim of this Ph.D project was to device an alternative method of delivery which overcomes the drawbacks associated with the use of Montanide. For this purpose we explored the use of PLGA (nano)particles (NP) as a delivery vehicle for SLP. Several important aspects for vaccination were assessed in this thesis; from the pharmaceutical formulation to the immunological characterization of different PLGA-SLP preparations. Together, the data presented in this thesis show that PLGA-NP mediated delivery of SLP is a very efficient method to target, load and mature Dendritic cells (DCs) as immune stimulatory compounds can be co-encapsulated with the vaccine Ag Show less
Immune responsiveness is carefully regulated. Cells of the immune system have to respond adequately to invading micro-organisms and possibly to transformed cells, but tolerance for the own body... Show moreImmune responsiveness is carefully regulated. Cells of the immune system have to respond adequately to invading micro-organisms and possibly to transformed cells, but tolerance for the own body constituents needs to be preserved. Dendritic cells (DC) comprise a family of professional antigen presenting cells (APC) that play a central role in the regulation of the immune response. Immature DC, located in the periphery, can efficiently take up Ag, but lack the co-stimulatory signals for effective T-cell activation. Upon maturation, DC migrate to secondary lymphoid organs and increase the expression of co-stimulatory molecules and MHC molecules. Mature DC are very efficient in priming na____ve T-cells. In contrast to their T-cell priming capacity, DC in peripheral tissues constitutively process and present Ag in the absence of pathogen-related or endogenous inflammatory stimuli, and make a major contribution to peripheral tolerance by inducing unresponsiveness or deletion of specific T-cells. The central role of DC in controlling immunity makes these cells attractive tools for many clinical situations that involve T-cells: induction of tolerance in case of transplantation, allergy and autoimmune disease and induction of efficient T-cell responsiveness in case of infection and tumors. Many tumor components do not elicit Ag-specific T-cell responses in patients, which may be due to the absence of functional DC in tumors or the secretion of factors by tumor cells that reduce DC development and function. Application of tumor Ag to DC ex vivo and reinfusion of these DC leads to induction of specific immunity. In animals this strategy can lead to protection against tumors and even a reduction in size of established tumors. At present similar studies are carried out in patients. The research described in this thesis focuses on the requirements for induction of efficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)- responses and tumor immunity by DC. Different modes of Ag presentation were studied for the induction of CTL-responses and tumor protection. Show less
