Lewis X oligosaccharides–heparanase complex targeting to DCs enhance antitumor response in mice

Heparanase has been proved as an promising tumor antigen for the therapeutical target. However, the antigen alone cannot fully elicit the immune response in vivo. In this study, Lewis X oligosaccharides–heparanase complex was prepared, which can target to the dendritic cells (DCs) via dendritic cell-specific intercellular-adhesion-molecule-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN). In addition, the DCs were loaded with the complex, and then were utilized to immunize mice to detect the immune response. Our data demonstrated that the modified DCs could enhance the specific IFN-γ production and cytotoxic T cell response. Furthermore, the modified DCs could also significantly suppress the established tumor growth and prolong the life span of tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, the Lewis X oligosaccharides–heparanase complex might be regarded as an ideal vaccine, and represent a novel way for the therapeutical strategy of tumor.