Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) have been characterized as powerful antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which possess the abilities for immune modulation and are used in composition of anti-malignant vaccines and gene-engineered products. By appropriate cultivation, modifications of DCs  have shown abilities for an enhanced expression of specific effector molecules. Studies on their biology are focused on their role as main immune response modulators. These properties characterize them as promising candidates for construction of novel safe vaccines and gene-engineered products. In this direction, attention is directed to development of methods and techniques for transduction of in vitro- and/or ex vivo-cultivated DCs with previously designed recombinant viral vectors with inserted genes, coding respective malignant antigens. Studies on the biology of lymphocytes are mainly focused on their role in cellular and humoral immune response. Their cultivation and differentiation in the presence of appropriate antigens, on one hand, and by appropriate modifications, on the other hand, have shown the abilities for an enhanced expression of specific effective molecules. These properties have characterized them as promising candidates for construction of novel safe vaccines and gene-engineering products.

Key words: Stem/progenitor cells, dendritic cells, lymphocytes, cell differentiation, recombinant viral vectors/gene constructs, malignant disorders, immunity.