title: Human dendritic cells express functional interleukin-7.
abstract: Interleukin-7 (IL-7) supports the proliferation of mature T lymphocytes, however, the cellular source of IL-7 for T lymphocyte activation has not been well established. We therefore investigated whether human peripheral blood dendritic cells (DC) produce IL-7 as a contribution towards T lymphocyte activation. Human CMRF-44+/CD14-/CD19- low density DC, purified after overnight tissue culture, contained IL-7 transcripts, detected by direct cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Intracytoplasmic staining confirmed IL-7 protein in at least a subpopulation of cultured low density DC. In contrast, resting/immature DC, isolated directly by immunodepletion of lineage marker positive cells, contained no IL-7 mRNA. Thus, the expression of IL-7 by DC follows the pattern described previously for CD80, CD86 and CD40. However, tissue culture of purified resting/immature DC, in contrast to CD80, CD86 and CD40, failed to induce IL-7 transcripts. The functional importance of DC IL-7 expression was demonstrated in an allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). Neutralising mAb to IL-7 significantly inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation when low DC numbers were used, but at higher stimulator numbers, anti-IL-7 mAb failed to inhibit an allogeneic MLR. This suggests, that when DC are in excess, other co-stimulatory pathways can compensate for the lack of IL-7. Addition of IL-7 to a MLR caused a significant increase in the proliferative response stimulated by monocytes and B lymphocytes but not by DC. These data support the concept of an initial phase of antigen uptake by DC followed by the optimisation of DC co-stimulatory potential. The co-stimulatory repertoire expressed, including IL-7, may be regulated by exogenous stimuli, thereby ensuring DC flexibility in mounting a response appropriate to the environmental changes.
authors.affiliation: Christchurch School of Medicine and Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Sorg
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: McLellan
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Hock
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Fearnley
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D015851:Interleukin-7