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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Preparation of Tumor Antigen-loaded Mature Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy
Published on: August 1, 2013
Cutting edge: polarized Th cell response induction by transferred antigen-pulsed dendritic cells is dependent on IL-4
Andrew S MacDonald1, Edward J Pearce
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
To assess the influence of dendritic cell (DC) production of polarizing cytokines on Th2 and Th1 development we transferred Ag-pulsed DC generated from wild-type, IL-4(-/-), or IL-12(-/-) mice into wild-type, IL-4(-/-), or IL-12(-/-) recipients. We found that DC IL-4 was not necessary for Th2 induction and that, surprisingly, DC IL-12 was not an absolute requirement for Th1 development. However, DC IL-12 production facilitated optimal Th1 response development. Critically, recipient ability to produce IL-4 or IL-12 was essential for either Th2 or Th1 development. These data help delineate the source and importance of IL-4 and IL-12 in the process of induction of polarized T cell responses by DC.
To assess the influence of dendritic cell (DC) production of polarizing cytokines on Th2 and Th1 development we transferred Ag-pulsed DC generated from wild-type, IL-4(-/-), or IL-12(-/-) mice into wild-type, IL-4(-/-), or IL-12(-/-) recipients. We found that DC IL-4 was not necessary for Th2 induction and that, surprisingly, DC IL-12 was not an absolute requirement for Th1 development. However, DC IL-12 production facilitated optimal Th1 response development. Critically, recipient ability to produce IL-4 or IL-12 was essential for either Th2 or Th1 development. These data help delineate the source and importance of IL-4 and IL-12 in the process of induction of polarized T cell responses by DC.
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