Title: Using MRI Cell Tracking to Monitor Immune Cell Recruitment in Response to a Peptide-Based Cancer Vaccine,
Abstract: Purpose: MRI cell tracking can be used to monitor immune cells involved in
the immunotherapy response, providing insight into the mechanism of action,
temporal progression of tumour growth and individual potency of therapies. To
evaluate whether MRI could be used to track immune cell populations in response
to immunotherapy, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T
cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were labelled with
superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles.
Methods: SPIO-labelled cells were injected into mice (one cell type/mouse)
implanted with an HPV-based cervical cancer model. Half of these mice were also
vaccinated with DepoVaxTM, a lipid-based vaccine platform that was developed to
enhance the potency of peptide-based vaccines.
Results: MRI visualization of CTLs, Tregs and MDSCs was apparent 24 hours
post-injection, with hypointensities due to iron labelled cells clearing
approximately 72 hours post-injection. Vaccination resulted in increased
recruitment of CTLs and decreased recruitment of MDSCs and Tregs to the tumour.
We also found that MDSC and Treg recruitment was positively correlated with
final tumour volume.
Conclusion: This type of analysis can be used to non-invasively study changes
in immune cell recruitment in individual mice over time, potentially allowing
improved application and combination of immunotherapies.