title: Understanding the response of dendritic cells to activation by streptococcal preparation OK-432.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The streptococcal preparation OK-432 induces maturation of T cells and dendritic cells (DCs). However, the mechanisms by which OK-432 induces DC maturation are not well understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of OK-432 and TNF-alpha on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were compared. Antibody-based approaches were used to detect proteins characteristic of antigen-presenting cells and cytokines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by measuring the release of LDH after incubation of effector and target cells. The TLR-4 levels were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Changes in cell surface marker levels were detected in both treatment groups but OK-432 had a greater effect on induction of Th-1-type cytokines. Furthermore, TLR-4 mRNA was up-regulated in cells from two out of five patients in response to OK-432, but not in response to TNF-alpha.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OK-432 has a more profound effect on human DCs than TNF-alpha and may act through multiple signaling pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery 1, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanzaki
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terashima
authors.forename: Seigo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kashimura
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohtani
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuyama
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.forename: Michihiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kogure
authors.forename: Ikurou
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oshibe
authors.forename: Hisahito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yaginuma
authors.forename: Mitsukazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gotoh
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010844:Picibanil / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D010844:Picibanil