Context: It has been verified that dendritic cell (DC) vaccination can improve the prognosis of malignant glioma. However, recent evidence suggests the problems with DC vaccines lies, at least in part, with the cancers ability to induce an immunosupressive response that suppresses any vaccine-mediated active immunity. Our previous studies indicate that subcutaneous vaccine can restrain the cancer cells implanted in the brain, but the effect is limited on vascularized tumor in the brain. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) play an important role in immunoevasion.
Aims: To identify the effects of DC vaccination on antiangiogenesis induced by endostatin in rat glioma.
Materials and methods: Rat basal ganglia glioma model was constructed and authenticated. The concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detected using rat IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. CD8+ T cell infiltration was measured by immunofluorescence. The expression of VEGF, VCAM, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) tested by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The expression of VEGF and apoptosis in rat glioma tissues is tested by immunohistochemical staining.
Statistical analysis used: Two group comparisons were analyzed by a two-tailed Student's t test. Multiple group comparisons were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The combination of DC vaccination and antiangionesis inhibited the rats with malignant glioma by stimulating immune response, supressing the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins VEGF, VCAM, and ICAM-1. In addition, the combination therapy inhibited glioma stem-cell-like cells.
Conclusions: DC vaccination enhances antiangiogenesis induced by endostatin in rat glioma.