Lethal Effect of T Cells Activated by Dendritic Cells with MUC1 Gene Transfection on BIU-87 Cells in vitro

Abstract

Objective: To observe the lethal effect of T cells activated by dendritic cells (DCs) with MUC1 gene transfection (MUC1-DCs) on BIU-87 cells in vitro, and to evaluate the possibility of dendritic cells transfected by MUC1 gene as a vaccine for bladder cancer immunotherapy. Methods: MUC1 was successfully transfected into cultured human blood-derived dendritic cell with lipofectin. The transfection efficiency and immunocompetence were detected by flow cytometry and MTT colourmetry. T lymphocytes activated by MUC1-DCs were used to kill BIU-87 cell lines and normal bladder epithelium in vitro and the killing rate was evaluated by MTT colourmetry. Results: There was significant lethal effect on the BIU-87 cells and normal bladder epithelium with T cells activated by MUC1-transfected DCs, but the lethal effect on the BIU-87 cells significantly exceeded that on normal bladder epithelium (P<0.05). The lethal effect on BIU-87 cells with T cells activated by MUC1-transfected DCs significantly exceeded that with T cells activated by no-transfection DCs (P<0.01). Conclusion: T cells activated by MUC1-DCs could induce killing action to BIU-87 cell lines. MUC1 gene could be used as a target for bladder cancer immunotherapy.