title: Differentiation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells is associated with upregulation and activation of Rac-1 small GTPase.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Giammarioli
authors.forename: Lucrezia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gambardella
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Quaranta
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lapenta
authors.forename: Stefano Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Belardelli
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viora
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Malorni
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein