Efficient expansion of XCR1+CD141+ cDC1 cells from human PBMCs: a promising strategy for DC-based vaccine
4 affiliations
- 1International Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boao International Hospital
- 2School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology
- 3School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan Province Key Laboratory of One Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Life and Health, Hainan University
- 4Medical Corporation ISHIN-KAI ODA Clinic
Abstract
Introduction: Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal orchestrators of immune activation, serving as professional antigen-presenting cells that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. Among them, conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) play a critical role in initiating cytotoxic T-cell responses and anti-tumor immunity. Despite their therapeutic promise, the clinical translation of cDC1-based vaccines has been limited by challenges in large-scale in vitro generation.
Methods and results: Here, we established an efficient and reproducible two-step protocol for producing functional XCR1⁺ CD141⁺ cDC1s from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), providing a practical and potentially scalable approach for cell sourcing. Transcriptomic profiling confirmed strong expression of cDC1 lineage markers and revealed that mature cDC1s exhibit pronounced activation of immune-related pathways and secretion of key cytokines and chemokines involved in immune modulation. Functionally, the generated cDC1s effectively primed antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which exhibited significantly enhanced IFN-γ production and tumor cell cytotoxicity compared with both control T cells and monocyte-derived DC–induced CTLs (moDC-CTLs). Importantly, preclinical evaluation in NOG mice showed no treatment-related toxicity, providing preliminary—though model-limited—safety evidence for this approach.
Discussion: Collectively, these findings establish an efficient and reproducible strategy for generating human cDC1s and highlight their potential as a candidate platform for dendritic cell–based cancer immunotherapy.
Related
- Exploring tumor-derived exosomes as promising antigenic platforms: novel vaccine and immunotherapy strategies for “cold” colorectal cancer
- Receptor-binding domain 2 of Clostridioides difficile binary toxin as a promising vaccine component against C. difficile infection
- Evaluation of promising rice lines using GYT and GGE biplots for simultaneous selection of yield, grain quality, and stability
- Convergent evolution of dogs and humans: a promising new model system for human social behaviors and mental health.
- Low-molecular-weight Ulva lacinulata extract exhibiting anti-inflammatory and pro-autophagic activities in RAW 264.7 macrophages: a promising candidate for the development of active ingredients targeting low-grade inflammation
BibTeX
@article{li2026efficient,
title = {{Efficient expansion of XCR1+CD141+ cDC1 cells from human PBMCs: a promising strategy for DC-based vaccine}},
author = {Ying Li and Kaiyun Huang and Rui Shang and Harunori Oda and Xinxin Gao and Xin Li and Yizhen Deng and Xiaodan Wang and Meng Ding and Can Song and Bin Wen and Xia Ling and Ming Shi and Hongjin Wu},
journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2026.1912573},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1912573/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Efficient expansion of XCR1+CD141+ cDC1 cells from human PBMCs: a promising strategy for DC-based vaccine
AU - Ying Li
AU - Kaiyun Huang
AU - Rui Shang
AU - Harunori Oda
AU - Xinxin Gao
AU - Xin Li
AU - Yizhen Deng
AU - Xiaodan Wang
AU - Meng Ding
AU - Can Song
AU - Bin Wen
AU - Xia Ling
AU - Ming Shi
AU - Hongjin Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in Immunology
DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1912573
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1912573/full
AB - Introduction: Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal orchestrators of immune activation, serving as professional antigen-presenting cells that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. Among them, conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) play a critical role in initiating cytotoxic T-cell responses and anti-tumor immunity. Despite their therapeutic promise, the clinical translation of cDC1-based vaccines has been limited by challenges in large-scale in vitro generation. Methods and results: Here, we established an efficient and reproducible two-step protocol for producing functional XCR1⁺ CD141⁺ cDC1s from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), providing a practical and potentially scalable approach for cell sourcing. Transcriptomic profiling confirmed strong expression of cDC1 lineage markers and revealed that mature cDC1s exhibit pronounced activation of immune-related pathways and secretion of key cytokines and chemokines involved in immune modulation. Functionally, the generated cDC1s effectively primed antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which exhibited significantly enhanced IFN-γ production and tumor cell cytotoxicity compared with both control T cells and monocyte-derived DC–induced CTLs (moDC-CTLs). Importantly, preclinical evaluation in NOG mice showed no treatment-related toxicity, providing preliminary—though model-limited—safety evidence for this approach. Discussion: Collectively, these findings establish an efficient and reproducible strategy for generating human cDC1s and highlight their potential as a candidate platform for dendritic cell–based cancer immunotherapy.
SN - 1664-3224
ER -