Immunocompetence and mechanism of the DRibble-DCs vaccine for oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Due to the high-quality immunogenicity of tumor-derived autophagosomes (DRibbles), we aimed to explore the antitumor ability and mechanism of DRibble-loaded dendritic cells (DRibble-DCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: DRibbles extracted from the oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCC7 express specific LC3-II and ubiquitination marker. Immunization of mice with the DRibble-DCs vaccine led to the proliferation and differentiation of CD3(+)CD4(+)IFN-γ(+) and CD3(+)CD8(+)IFN-γ(+) T cells. The expression of proteins in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathways was determined by Western blotting. Additionally, the functional properties of the DRibble-DCs were examined in mice, and regulatory T cells were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Excellent biocompatibility was observed in vitro when DCs were loaded with DRibbles. T cells of lymph nodes and spleens from mice immunized with DRibble-DCs had cytotoxic effects on SCC7 cells. DCs homeostasis and ERS-related proteins were affected by DRibbles. Moreover, the DRibble-DCs vaccine achieved significantly better antitumor efficacy than DRibbles and tumor cell lysate-loaded DCs. CONCLUSION: The results validated the antitumor immune responses to the DRibble-DCs vaccine in vivo and in vitro. The ERS pathway can be affected by DRibbles.