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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
09:03
Rapid In Vivo Assessment of Adjuvant's Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Generation Capabilities for Vaccine Development
Published on: June 19, 2018
Evaluation of adjuvant activities using human antigen presenting cells in vitro
Takehiro Higashi1, Masatoshi Wakui, Kazuhisa Nakano
1Department of Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama.
Summary
Quantitative evaluation of Th1 and Th2 adjuvant activities is now possible using specific cell lines. Forskolin (Th2 adjuvant) increases cAMP levels, while lipopolysaccharides (LPS, Th1 adjuvant) decrease them in treated THP-1 cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Immunomodulators like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and forskolin act as Th1 and Th2 adjuvants, respectively.
- Previous studies qualitatively assessed adjuvant activity via Notch ligand isoform expression in dendritic cells (DCs).
- Quantitative evaluation of these adjuvant activities remained unestablished.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a quantitative method for evaluating Th1 and Th2 adjuvant activities.
- To investigate the role of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in adjuvant activity.
Main Methods:
- Human monocytic THP-1 cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA).
- Cells were stimulated with various adjuvants, including forskolin and LPS.
- Intracellular cAMP levels were measured to assess adjuvant effects.
Main Results:
- Forskolin, a Th2 adjuvant, dose-dependently increased intracellular cAMP levels in PMA-treated THP-1 cells.
- Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a Th1 adjuvant, dose-dependently suppressed intracellular cAMP levels.
- These changes correlated with known Th1/Th2 adjuvant classifications.
Conclusions:
- PMA-treated THP-1 cells can be used to quantitatively evaluate Th2 adjuvant activity.
- PMA-treated and forskolin-stimulated THP-1 cells enable quantitative evaluation of Th1 adjuvant activity.
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01:22Antigen Presenting Cells
The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that protects the body from foreign invaders. T cells, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in this process. They recognize and attack foreign substances, such as pathogens, that enter the body.
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.