Induction of cell stress through gene transfer of an engineered heat shock transcription factor enhances tumor immunogenicity

M. J. Gough, A. A. Melcher, M. R. Crittenden, L. Sanchez-Perez, R. Voellmy, R. G. Vile

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heat shock protein expression and release is closely associated with immunogenic forms of cell death. We show that activation of the stress response within tumor cells during cell death, using an engineered form of the heat shock transcription factor, leads to an immunogenic death. Cells dying through 'stressful death' show decreased phagocytosis by macrophages in vitro. Moreover, cells expressing heat shock proteins during cell death are significantly more protective against subsequent tumor challenge. These data demonstrate the utility of activating cellular stress programs over the course of cytotoxic therapies to enhance immune responses to dying cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1099-1104
Number of pages6
JournalGene Therapy
Volume11
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2004

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Gene therapy
  • Heat shock
  • Phagocytosis
  • Transcription factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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