Differentiation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells is associated with upregulation and activation of Rac-1 small GTPase.
Critical changes occurring in Rac-1 molecule, a cytoskeleton organizing small GTPase associated with cell ruffling, have been analyzed in dendritic cells (DCs) derived from monocytes cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IFN-alpha or IL-4. Although with different kinetics, both agents induced activation of Rac-1 molecule and, more importantly, an upregulation of both protein expression and mRNA transcription. These findings strengthen the role of Rac-1 molecule in the induction of DC differentiation and suggest that, besides its activation, the upregulation of Rac-1 molecule might also play a role in the acquisition of DC mature phenotype.
Giammarioli
Anna Maria
AM
Department of Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
Gambardella
Lucrezia
L
Quaranta
Maria Giovanna
MG
Lapenta
Caterina
C
Santini
Stefano Maria
SM
Belardelli
Filippo
F
Viora
Marina
M
Malorni
Walter
W
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015854:Up-Regulation; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein