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Updated: Feb 5, 2026
Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine
Published on: February 24, 2023
Comparison of Protein and Peptide Targeting for the Development of a CD169-Based Vaccination Strategy Against
Dieke van Dinther1, Henrike Veninga1, Mirjam Revet1
1Amsterdam UMC, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Abstract:
CD169+ macrophages are part of the innate immune system and capture pathogens that enter secondary lymphoid organs such as the spleen and the lymph nodes. Their strategic location in the marginal zone of the spleen and the subcapsular sinus in the lymph node enables them to capture antigens from the blood and the lymph respectively. Interestingly, these specific CD169+ macrophages do not destroy the antigens they obtain, but instead, transfer it to B cells and dendritic cells (DCs) which facilitates the induction of strong adaptive immune responses. This latter characteristic of the CD169+ macrophages can be exploited by specifically targeting tumor antigens to CD169+ macrophages for the induction of specific T cell immunity. In the current study we target protein and peptide antigen as antibody-antigen conjugates to CD169+ macrophages. We monitored the primary, memory, and recall T cell responses and evaluated the anti-tumor immune responses after immunization. In conclusion, both protein and peptide targeting to CD169 resulted in strong primary, memory, and recall T cell responses and protective immunity against melanoma, which indicates that both forms of antigen can be further explored as anti-cancer vaccination strategy.
Insights
Targeting CD169-positive macrophages with protein or peptide antigens induces robust T cell immunity and protective anti-melanoma responses, suggesting a novel cancer vaccination strategy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- CD169-positive macrophages are innate immune cells strategically located in lymphoid organs.
- They capture pathogens and transfer antigens to B cells and dendritic cells, promoting adaptive immunity.
- This antigen-transferring capacity can be leveraged for targeted cancer immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of targeting CD169-positive macrophages with antibody-antigen conjugates for cancer vaccination.
- To evaluate the induction of primary, memory, and recall T cell responses against tumor antigens.
- To assess the resulting anti-tumor immune responses and protective immunity.
Main Methods:
- Conjugating protein and peptide antigens to antibodies targeting CD169-positive macrophages.
- Immunizing model systems with these conjugates.
- Monitoring T cell responses (primary, memory, recall) and evaluating anti-tumor immunity.
Main Results:
- Targeting CD169-positive macrophages with both protein and peptide antigens elicited strong primary, memory, and recall T cell responses.
- Immunization resulted in protective immunity against melanoma.
- Both antigen forms proved effective in generating robust immune responses.
Conclusions:
- Targeting CD169-positive macrophages is a viable strategy for inducing potent T cell immunity.
- Both protein and peptide antigens delivered via this method can be explored for anti-cancer vaccination.
- This approach holds promise for developing effective melanoma vaccines.
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