This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hu, D.-E. Articles by Brindle, K. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hu, D.-E. Articles by Brindle, K. M.

Uric Acid Promotes Tumor Immune Rejection

¹ Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, and ² Immunomodulation Section, Immunotherapeutics Department, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, United Kingdom

Uric acid released from dying cells has been shown recently to act as a danger signal for the immune system, stimulating dendritic cell maturation and enhancing T-cell responses to foreign antigens. Stimulation of dendritic cell maturation by uric acid has been proposed as a mechanism by which the immune system could generate responses against tumors. We show here that uric acid levels are elevated in tumors undergoing immune rejection and that the inhibition of uric acid production, by systemic administration of allopurinol, or the removal of uric acid, by administration of uricase, delayed tumor immune rejection, whereas subcutaneous administration of crystalline uric acid enhanced the rejection process.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. D. Behrens, W. M. Wagner, C. J. Krco, C. L. Erskine, K. R. Kalli, J. Krempski, E. A. Gad, M. L. Disis, and K. L. Knutson The endogenous danger signal, crystalline uric acid, signals for enhanced antibody immunity Blood, February 1, 2008; 111(3): 1472 - 1479. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Shi, S. A. Galusha, and K. L. Rock Cutting Edge: Elimination of an Endogenous Adjuvant Reduces the Activation of CD8 T Lymphocytes to Transplanted Cells and in an Autoimmune Diabetes Model J. Immunol., April 1, 2006; 176(7): 3905 - 3908. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]