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Immature Dendritic Cells (immature + dendritic_cell)
Selected AbstractsDendritic cell susceptibility to hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infectionJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2002Maria-Cristina Navas Abstract In vitro infection of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells was carried out to study their susceptibility to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Immature dendritic cells and mature dendritic cells were incubated overnight at 37°C with HCV-positive (genotype 1) serum samples; the presence of the viral genome associated with the production of its replicative intermediate was used as evidence of infection. In immature dendritic cells, HCV RNA was detectable from days 1,10 post-infection (p.i.), and de novo synthesis of negative-strand HCV RNA could be demonstrated by a strand-specific rTth reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction at day 2. In mature dendritic cells, the positive-strand form was detectable from days 1,5 p.i., while the negative-strand HCV RNA appeared at days 1 and 2 p.i. Quasispecies present in the inoculum and 6 days p.i. were analyzed by sequencing hypervariable region 1 of the E2 protein. Only two of seven HVR variants present in the inoculum were found in HCV-infected immature dendritic cells. Another two HVR variants not found in the inoculum were recovered from infected immature dendritic cells, suggesting serum minor variants selection or virus evolution during in vitro replication. Analysis by single-strand conformation polymorphism assay of 5, untranslated region of HCV sequences showed that the patterns obtained from the inoculum and infected immature dendritic cells and mature dendritic cells differed slightly. These findings indicate that both immature dendritic cells and mature dendritic cells are susceptible to HCV genotype 1 infection, supporting at least HCV RNA replication. This model should be a valuable tool for the study of modulation of dendritic cell functions in HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 67:152,161, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Copolymer effects on microglia and T,cells in the central nervous system of humanized miceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2005Zsolt Illes The random amino acid copolymers FYAK and VWAK ameliorate EAE in a humanized mouse model expressing both a human transgenic myelin basic protein (MBP)85,99-specific T,cell receptor and HLA-DR2. Here we show that microglia isolated from the central nervous system (CNS) of humanized mice with EAE induced by MBP85,99 and treated with these copolymers had reduced expression of HLA-DR, and thus reduced capacity to present MBP85,99 and activate transgenic T,cells. In vitro microglia up-regulated empty HLA-DR2 upon activation with GM-CSF with or without LPS or IFN-,, but not with IL-4 or IL-10. Correspondingly, gene chip arrays showed that the CNS of untreated and YFAK-treated mice differentially expressed pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules during MBP85,99-induced EAE. Interestingly, microglia expressed the full-length ,,,and ,,,subunits of the tetrameric adaptor protein complexes AP-1 and AP-2 respectively, but after treatment with GM-CSF these complexes were cleaved, as had been found in immature dendritic cells derived from bone marrow. Strikingly, in vivo the perivascular lymphocyte infiltration seen in untreated mice immunized with MBP85,99 was composed of equal numbers of hV,2+ MPB85,99-specific transgenic and hV,2, endogenous T,cells, while the much smaller infiltration seen after treatment with YFAK was composed predominantly of hV,2, endogenous T,cells. [source] C-type lectin-independent interaction of complement opsonized HIV with monocyte-derived dendritic cellsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 9 2005Monika Pruenster Abstract HIV directly activates the complement cascade and is, therefore, opsonized with C3-cleavage products in vivo. This cloud of C3 fragments on the viral surface may impair the interaction of the HIV envelope glycoproteins gp120/gp41 with C-type lectins expressed on immature dendritic cells (iDC). Therefore, we determined the accessibility of gp120 after opsonization and compared the interaction of DC with non-opsonized or complement-opsonized HIV. The recognition of native gp120 was drastically impaired when the virus was covered by complement. Independent of opsonization, similar amounts of HIV bound to DC. The interaction of iDC and the infection of DC-PBL co-cultures with non-opsonized virus was significantly reduced by mannan and antibodies which inhibit the ICAM-1-CR3 interaction. The binding of opsonized virus to iDC was reduced by an anti-CR3-antibody, which interferes with the binding of C3 fragments, but was not affected by mannan. Complement enhanced the HIV infection of DC and DC-PBL co-cultures significantly. Mannan did not inhibit the complement-dependent enhancement of infection. Thus, non-opsonized and opsonized HIV interacted with iDC, although the binding mechanisms seemed to differ. As HIV is opsonized in vivo, the C-type lectin-independent interaction of opsonized viruses with iDC has to be taken into account. [source] Expression of milk fat globule epidermal growth factor,8 in immature dendritic cells for engulfment of apoptotic cellsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Kay Miyasaka Abstract Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor,8 (MFG-E8) is a protein that stimulates the engulfment of apoptotic cells by phagocytes. Here, we show that mouse immature dendritic cells (DC) generated in vitro by culturing bone marrow progenitors in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and Langerhans cells present in the skins, expressed MFG-E8. Bone marrow-derived macrophages generated by M-CSF did not express MFG-E8. MFG-E8 expressed in immature DC was found to be secreted as exosomes. The expression of MFG-E8 was significantly suppressed when the immature DC were induced to mature by treating them with lipopolysaccharides. This expression of MFG-E8 was well correlated with the ability of the cells to engulf apoptotic cells. That is,immature DC phagocytosed apoptotic cells more efficiently than did mature DC or bone marrow-derived macrophages. The ability of immature DC to engulf apoptotic cells was severely reduced when the immature DC were prepared from MFG-E8-deficient mice. These results indicated that MFG-E8 plays an essential role in the engulfment of apoptotic cells by bone marrow-derived immature DC. [source] Identification of novel genes regulated by ,-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cellsEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2004T. Brzoska Many strains of evidence indicate that ,-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (,-MSH) elicits its immunomodulatory activity via binding to melanocortin receptors (MC-Rs) expressed on monocytes and dendritic cells. In order to identify novel target genes regulated by ,-MSH in these cells, we prepared bone marrow-derived dendritic cell precursors from BALB/c mice and treated them with GM-CSF and IL-4 for 6 days. The MC-R profile on these immature dendritic cells was first determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Both transcripts for MC-1R and MC-5R were detected in these cells. Cells were subsequently stimulated with dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS), ,-MSH or both substances for 2 or 16 h. After RNA preparation, cDNA synthesis and in vitro transcripton hybridization of biotinylated cRNA samples was performed on MG U74A Affymetrix gene chips. Data evaluation, cleansing, extraction and analysis of the more than 12 000 cloned genes and expressed sequence tags were performed using the GENE DATA ANALYST vs. 1 Expressionist software. Filter criteria included a minimum threshold of 100, normalization by the logarithmic mean and a quality setting of P < 0.04. Changes with a change factor of >2 were regarded as significant. As expected, stimulation with DNBS resulted in induction or upregulation of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines, growth factors, signal transduction intermediates and transcription factors. Treatment with ,-MSH blocked the DNBS-driven upregulation of several known genes such as IL-1 or CD86. On the other hand, ,-MSH modulated the expression of several novel genes implicated in immunomodulation, e.g. IL-1, converting enzyme, IFN-, receptor, FK506-binding proteins or several neuropeptides and their receptors. These data indicate novel molecular targets by which ,-MSH exerts its immunomodulatory activities in immunocompetent cells. [source] Serum lipids regulate dendritic cell CD1 expression and functionIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2008David S. Leslie Summary Dendritic cells (DCs) are highly potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and play a vital role in stimulating naïve T cells. Treatment of human blood monocytes with the cytokines granulocyte,macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4 stimulates them to develop into immature dendritic cells (iDCs) in vitro. DCs generated by this pathway have a high capacity to prime and activate resting T cells and prominently express CD1 antigen-presenting molecules on the cell surface. The presence of human serum during the differentiation of iDCs from monocytes inhibits the expression of CD1a, CD1b and CD1c, but not CD1d. Correspondingly, T cells that are restricted by CD1c showed poor responses to DCs that were generated in the presence of human serum, while the responses of CD1d-restricted T cells were enhanced. We chemically fractionated human serum to isolate the bioactive factors that modulate surface expression of CD1 proteins during monocyte to DC differentiation. The human serum components that affected CD1 expression partitioned with polar organic soluble fractions. Lysophosphatidic acid and cardiolipin were identified as lipids present in normal human serum that potently modulate CD1 expression. Control of CD1 expression was mediated at the level of gene transcription and correlated with activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) nuclear hormone receptors. These findings indicate that the ability of human DCs to present lipid antigens to T cells through expression of CD1 molecules is sensitively regulated by lysophosphatidic acid and cardiolipin in serum, which are ligands that can activate PPAR transcription factors. [source] Histamine and prostaglandin E2 up-regulate the production of Th2-attracting chemokines (CCL17 and CCL22) and down-regulate IFN-,-induced CXCL10 production by immature human dendritic cellsIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Anne McIlroy Summary Effector memory T helper 2 (Th2) cells that accumulate in target organs (i.e. skin or bronchial mucosa) have a central role in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. To date, the factors that selectively trigger local production of Th2-attracting chemokines remain poorly understood. In mucosa, at the sites of allergen entry, immature dendritic cells (DC) are in close contact with mast cells. Histamine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are two mediators released by allergen-activated mast cells that favour the polarization of maturing DC into Th2-polarizing cells. We analysed here the effects of histamine and PGE2 on the prototypic, Th2-(CCL17, CCL22) versus Th1-(CXCL10) chemokine production by human DC. We report that histamine and PGE2 dose-dependently up-regulate CCL17 and CCL22 by monocyte-derived immature DC. These effects were potentiated by tumour necrosis factor-,, still observed in the presence of the Th1-cytokine interferon-, (IFN-,) and abolished by the immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10. In addition, histamine and PGE2 down-regulated IFN-,-induced CXCL10 production by monocyte-derived DC. These properties of histamine and PGE2 were observed at the transcriptional level and were mediated mainly through H2 receptors for histamine and through EP2 and EP4 receptors for PGE2. Finally, histamine and PGE2 also up-regulated CCL17 and CCL22 and decreased IFN-,-induced CXCL10 production by purified human myeloid DC. In conclusion, these data show that, in addition to polarizing DC into mature cells that promote naïve T-cell differentiation into Th2 cells, histamine and PGE2 may act on immature DC to trigger local Th2 cell recruitment through a selective control of Th1/Th2-attracting chemokine production, thereby contributing to maintain a microenvironment favourable to persistent immunoglobulin E synthesis. [source] Characterization of T-regulatory cells, induced by immature dendritic cells, which inhibit enteroantigen-reactive colitis-inducing T-cell responses in vitro and in vivoIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Monika Gad Summary Regulatory T (Treg) cells, derived from co-cultures of unfractionated CD4+ T cells and immature dendritic cells (DC), suppress enteroantigen-induced proliferation of CD4+ CD25, T cells. The DC-induced Treg cells are a mixture of CD25+ (10,20%) and CD25, (80,90%) T cells. However, all the suppressor activity in vitro and in vivo resides in the CD25+ T-cell subset. The CD25+ DC-induced Treg cells can inhibit enteroantigen-induced proliferation in vitro through a transwell membrane, and their function does not appear to depend on previous activation. DC-induced CD25+ Treg cells display a naïve phenotype, expressing high levels of CD45RB and l -selectin (CD62L). In addition, the DC-induced Treg cells mediate a stronger suppressive activity than prototype CD25+ regulatory T cells. The DC-induced Treg cells, and hereof purified CD25+ and CD25, T-cell fractions, were co-injected into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice with colitis-inducing CD4+ CD25, T cells. Both unfractionated CD4+ and purified CD25+ Treg cells fully protected the recipients against the development of colitis. In contrast, co-transfer of fractionated CD25, T cells offered no protection against disease development. Enterobacterial antigen-exposed CD4+ T cells of the protected mice secreted higher levels of interleukin-10 and lower levels of interferon-, than the unprotected mice. The present data demonstrate DC-induced CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells, which phenotypically and functionally differ from the generally accepted prototype of CD25+ Treg cells. These data may initiate new procedures for the expansion of Treg cells for clinical use. [source] Mechanism of antigen presentation after hypertonic loading of soluble antigensIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Georg A. Enders Summary Hypertonic loading of proteins into cells has been used to introduce soluble proteins into the major histocompatibility complex class I pathway of antigen presentation followed by cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) induction. The precise mechanism for this pathway is not completely understood. The antigen is either processed and presented by/on the same cell or by professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) after taking up the antigen from damaged or apoptotic cells. After loading labelled ovalbumin (OVA), it could be co-precipitated with the proteasome complex, supporting the role of this pathway for antigen processing. The processing speed however, appeared to be slow since intact OVA could be detected inside the cells even after 18 hr. This corresponded well with the processing of OVA by isolated proteasomes. On the other hand, enough peptides for recognition of target cells by CTLs were generated in this reaction. One reason for the low level of processing might be that hypertonic loading may damage the cells and inhibit direct processing. In fact, at least 50% of the cells became positive for Annexin V binding after hypertonic loading which indicates severe membrane alterations usually associated with the progress of apoptosis. Annexin V binds to phosphatidylserine residues which also serve as ligand for CD36 expressed on monocytes and some immature dendritic cells. This may direct the phagocytic pathway to hypertonically loaded cells and thus enable professional APCs to present OVA-peptides. Therefore, in addition to the direct processing of OVA, CTLs can be primed by professional APC after uptake of apoptotic, OVA-loaded cells. [source] Enhanced maturation and functional capacity of monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells by the synthetic immunomodulator MurabutideIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Vincent Vidal Summary Murabutide is a safe synthetic immunomodulator derived from muramyl dipeptide, the smallest bioactive unit of bacterial peptidoglycan. Although it is well known that muramyl peptides modulate the functions of monocytes/macrophages, their activity on dendritic cells is poorly documented. We thus investigated the effects of Murabutide on immunophenotype, endocytosis, T-cell stimulatory capacity, and cytokine secretion of human monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells (iDCs). We found that Murabutide triggers immunophenotypic changes as upon treatment, iDCs up-regulate the surface expression of the major histocompatibility complex type II molecule human leucocyte antigen-DR, the co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and CD40 and the differentiation marker CD83, and down-regulate the expression of the mannose receptor. These phenotypic changes are also mirrored by changes in their biological activity. Subsequent to treatment with the synthetic immunomodulator, DC have a decreased endocytic capacity but exhibit enhanced stimulatory capacity for both allogeneic and autologous T cells. In addition, Murabutide-stimulated iDCs have a greater cytostatic activity toward the tumour cell line THP-1. Furthermore, in the presence of Murabutide, DCs transiently increased the release of macrophage inhibitory protein-1,, tumour necrosis factor-, and interleukin-10, whereas the enhanced production of macrophage-colony stimulating factor was sustained over the 3-day period analysed. In addition, Murabutide triggers the phosphorylation of the three classes of mitogen-activated protein kinases in iDCs. Altogether our results demonstrate that Murabutide triggers the maturation and activation of monocyte-derived iDCs. As this immunomodulator is approved for administration in humans, it could be a useful adjunct to boost the efficacy of DC-based vaccines designed against tumours or virus-infected cells. [source] MHC Class II Vesicles (CIIV) within immature dendritic cellsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 2 2004E. Radu No abstract is available for this article. [source] Dendritic cell susceptibility to hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infectionJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2002Maria-Cristina Navas Abstract In vitro infection of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells was carried out to study their susceptibility to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Immature dendritic cells and mature dendritic cells were incubated overnight at 37°C with HCV-positive (genotype 1) serum samples; the presence of the viral genome associated with the production of its replicative intermediate was used as evidence of infection. In immature dendritic cells, HCV RNA was detectable from days 1,10 post-infection (p.i.), and de novo synthesis of negative-strand HCV RNA could be demonstrated by a strand-specific rTth reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction at day 2. In mature dendritic cells, the positive-strand form was detectable from days 1,5 p.i., while the negative-strand HCV RNA appeared at days 1 and 2 p.i. Quasispecies present in the inoculum and 6 days p.i. were analyzed by sequencing hypervariable region 1 of the E2 protein. Only two of seven HVR variants present in the inoculum were found in HCV-infected immature dendritic cells. Another two HVR variants not found in the inoculum were recovered from infected immature dendritic cells, suggesting serum minor variants selection or virus evolution during in vitro replication. Analysis by single-strand conformation polymorphism assay of 5, untranslated region of HCV sequences showed that the patterns obtained from the inoculum and infected immature dendritic cells and mature dendritic cells differed slightly. These findings indicate that both immature dendritic cells and mature dendritic cells are susceptible to HCV genotype 1 infection, supporting at least HCV RNA replication. This model should be a valuable tool for the study of modulation of dendritic cell functions in HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 67:152,161, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Alcohol Exposure Impairs Myeloid Dendritic Cell Function in Rhesus MacaquesALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2009Robert W. Siggins Background:, Alcohol intoxication suppresses both the innate and adaptive immunities. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the major cell type bridging the innate and acquired immune responses. At the present time, the effects of alcohol on DC development in hematopoietic tissues and the functional activities of DCs are incompletely elucidated. This study investigated the impact of chronic alcohol exposure on the alteration of hematopoietic precursor cell and DC populations in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of rhesus macaques. Methods:, Rhesus macaques were administered alcohol or isocaloric sucrose daily for a period of 3 months through surgically implanted gastric catheters. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bone marrow cells (BMCs) were isolated for flow cytometric analysis after 3 months. Monocytes were cultured with human IL-4 (10 ng/ml) and GM-CSF (50 ng/ml) in the absence and presence of alcohol (50 mM). On day 6 of the culture, a cocktail of stimulants including IL-1, (18 ng), IL-6 (1800 U), TNF-, (18 ng), and PGE2 (1.8 ,g) were added to the designated wells for transformation of immature dendritic cells (iDCs) to mature myeloid DCs. The cells were analyzed on day 8 by flow cytometry for expression of DC costimulatory molecule expression. Results:, EtOH-treated animals had significantly lower numbers of myeloid DCs (lineage-HLA-DR+CD11c+CD123,) in both the PBMCs and BMCs compared to controls (5,654 ± 1,273/106 vs. 2,353 ± 660/106 PBMCs and 503 ± 34 vs. 195 ± 44/106 BMCs). Under culture conditions, the number of lineage-HLA-DR+CD83+ cells was low in control wells (0.38 ± 0.08%). Alcohol inhibited the increase in the number of lineage-HLA-DR+CD83+ cells in iDC wells (2.30 ± 0.79% vs. 5.73 ± 1.40%). Alcohol also inhibited the increase in the number of lineage-HLA-DR+CD83+ cells in mature DC wells (1.23 ± 0.15% vs. 4.13 ± 0.62%). Conclusions:, Chronic EtOH decreases the bone marrow and circulating pools of myeloid DCs. Additionally, EtOH suppresses costimulatory molecule CD83 expression during DC transformation, which may attenuate the ability of DCs to initiate T-cell expansion. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: CCL20/MIP3, is a Novel Anti-HIV-1 Molecule of the Human Female Reproductive TractAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Mimi Ghosh Problem, CCL20/MIP3, is a chemokine for immature dendritic cells as well as an antibacterial against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The role of CCL20/MIP3, as an antiviral is unknown. In this study, we have examined the production of CCL20/MIP3, by epithelial cells from the upper female reproductive tract as well as its activity as an antiviral molecule. Method of study, Primary uterine and Fallopian tube epithelial cells were treated with Poly(I:C) and CCL20/MIP3, mRNA and protein was measured by Realtime RT-PCR and ELISA assays. Anti-HIV activity was determined using an indicator cell line TZM-bl and quantified by using a luminometer. Results, Primary uterine and Fallopian tube epithelial cells produce CCL20/MIP3, constitutively and the production is enhanced following stimulation with viral double-stranded RNA mimic Poly(I:C). Recombinant CCL20/MIP3, was able to inhibit both T-cell-tropic X4/IIIB and macrophage-tropic R5/BaL HIV-1 when virus was directly incubated with CCL20/MIP3, but not when CCL20/MIP3, was added to cells either prior to infection or post-infection. This suggests that the mechanism of inhibition is likely to be a direct interaction between HIV-1 and CCL20/MIP3,. Conclusion, This study demonstrates that CCL20/MIP3, is an important endogenous anti-HIV-1 microbicide of the female reproductive tract. [source] Generation of self-renewing immature dendritic cells from mouse spleen that can take up mycobacteria and present antigens to T cellsAPMIS, Issue 10 2010RUBINA PAL Pal R, Marwaha S, Pepponi I, Mann JFS, Paul MJ, Reljic R. Generation of self-renewing immature dendritic cells from mouse spleen that can take up mycobacteria and present antigens to T cells. APMIS 2010; 118: 729,38. Dendritic cells (DC) play a key role in driving the adaptive immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the causative pathogen of tuberculosis (TB). However, studying these important yet very sparse immune cells in the context of MTB pathogenesis is severely restricted by the lack of suitable cell lines and the complexity of culturing of DC progenitors, usually obtained from the bone marrow. However, significant advances have been made towards generating long-term DC cultures from various lymphoid tissues. Here, we report the evidence for generating a long-term, self-renewing DC culture from the Balb/c mouse spleen. We demonstrate that these cells, termed IDC-3, have a myeloid DC origin, i.e. they are CD11c+CD11b++CD8-,,F4/80+/, and that they also display a phenotype MHC-II+CD16/32++CD80+/,CD86+, indicating that they are immature DC. Following incubation with Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin), the IDC-3 efficiently took up bacteria and acquired the morphology of mature DC. Importantly though, when IDC-3 were pre-stimulated with a mycobacterial antigen in vitro, they were able to induce proliferation of T lymphocytes from mice immunized with the same antigen. The T-cell stimulatory potential of IDC-3 was further enhanced when the cells were co-stimulated with an anti-CD40 mAb. We therefore suggest that the IDC-3 culture system could be a useful tool for studying the interaction of DC with mycobacteria. [source] Human cytomegalovirus induces a direct inhibitory effect on antigen presentation by monocyte-derived immature dendritic cellsBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Ulrich Grigoleit Summary. The hypothesis that productive infection of monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells (DCs) by the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is associated with decreased immunostimulatory capacity was tested in this study. DCs were infected with 60,80% efficiency by HCMV strain TB40/E. Infected versus uninfected cells were analysed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and by immunocytochemistry for surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and co-stimulatory molecules as well as cytokine secretion during the 3 d after infection. The immunostimulatory capacity of these cells was measured by mixed leucocyte reaction. In spite of the fact that HCMV infection of DCs induced an increased release of tumour necrosis factor-, (TNF-,) and a decreased interleukin 10 (IL-10) production, expression of MHC class I and II, as well as CD40 and CD80 molecules, were downregulated on infected DCs. The mixed leucocyte reaction showed significantly reduced immunostimulatory capacity of infected DC cultures. Simultaneous detection of MHC antigens and virus antigens by double immunofluorescence revealed that downregulation occurred only on infected cells, but not on uninfected bystander cells. These findings demonstrate on a single cell level, together with the marked downregulation of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules in the presence of high TNF-, and low IL-10 levels, a direct inhibitory effect of HCMV on antigen presentation by immature DCs independent of soluble mediators. [source] Gene expression studies in cultured dendritic cells: new indicators for the discrimination of skin sensitizers and irritants in vitroCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 6 2009S. Szameit Summary Background The replacement of animal tests for the detection of the sensitizing potential of chemicals is of great importance due to current legislation. One promising approach for the development of an in vitro assay is the exposure of immature dendritic cells (iDCs) to contact sensitizers and irritants, followed by an analysis of the maturation status of the cells. Objective The aim of this study was to further investigate the performance of our previously developed targeted microarray, the immune toxicity chip. In addition, we aimed to identify new marker genes for the discrimination of allergens and irritants using whole-genome microarrays. Methods Monocyte-derived iDCs were exposed to contact sensitizers and irritants in concentrations resulting in 10,20% cytotoxicity, as determined by dose,response curves. Changes in gene expression were analysed using the immune toxicity chip and a commercially available whole-genome microarray. Results Using the immune toxicity chip, we could identify a panel of marker genes suitable to discriminate strong allergens and irritants. Analysis with the whole-genome array revealed additional genes that are differentially expressed after allergen exposure, but not after irritant exposure. Hierarchical clustering of these genes showed distinct groups representing the different chemicals. Conclusion Here we show that our test system based on an immune-specific microarray is suitable for the discrimination of strong allergens and irritants. Genes detected as differentially expressed with the whole-genome array and previously not connected to the maturation process of DCs might be suitable candidate genes for the identification of weaker sensitizers. [source] ,Danger' effect of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized LDL on human immature dendritic cellsCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2007R. Zaguri Summary Dendritic cell (DC) maturation may accelerate autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, and may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis seen in these patients. The immune system responds to both exogenous and endogenous ,dangerous' signals that can induce dendritic cell maturation. We have found that autologous plasma contains danger signals that induce up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and co-stimulatory molecules in immature DCs (iDCs). The objective of this study was to determine whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and/or oxidized LDL (oxLDL) constitute danger signals, and to assess the effect of exposure to LDL and oxLDL following monocyte differentiation into iDCs in lipoprotein-deficient serum (LPDS). IDCs were generated in the presence of autologous plasma or LPDS. Expression of maturation and migration molecules was evaluated using flow cytometry, and morphology was assessed by light microscopy. Pro- or anti-apoptotic effect was determined using annexin V and propidium iodide binding. Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells was evaluated using autologous plasma or LPDS. LDL and oxLDL were clearly able to slightly up-regulate levels of HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecule CD86. High oxLDL concentrations (50,100 µg/ml) were associated with expression of additional maturation molecules. Moreover, iDCs that were prepared in LPDS showed partial maturation following exposure to LDL and oxLDL, and improved tolerogenic apoptotic cell uptake. This study suggests that oxLDL, and to some extent LDL, are at least partly responsible for the iDC ,danger' response induced by autologous plasma. [source] Functional roles of immature dendritic cells in impaired immunity of solid tumour and their targeted strategies for provoking tumour immunityCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2006R. Kim Summary Dendritic cells play a crucial role in initiating tumour immunity as well as in the immune response for invading foreign pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. For bacterial and viral infections, the immature dendritic cells (iDCs) residing in peripheral tissues are efficiently activated and matured by pathogen signals for performing the immune response. In contrast, for self-antigens, the naive T cells are not activated by iDCs but proceed to anergy/deletion, and the generation of regulatory T cells for immune tolerance. The induction of immune response and tolerance is regulated strictly by iDCs as the sensor for homeostasis of immune response in the host. Despite the identification of some tumour antigens, tumour immunity is not provoked successfully. Even though there are some critical obstacles to inhibit effective tumour immunity, tumour cells are able to exploit the functional roles of iDCs for tumour progression, which are induced by tumour-derived soluble factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and functionally modulated in the microenvironment. The iDCs still remain as the critical target for provoking tumour immunity. In this review, the functional roles of tumour-associated iDCs and the strategy for targeting iDCs in effective tumour immunity for the cancer patient are discussed. [source] | ||||||||||