Factors determining the spontaneous activation of splenic dendritic cells in culture.
Dendritic cells (DCs) serve as a link between the innate and adaptive immune systems. The activation state of DCs is crucial in this role. However, when DCs are isolated from lymphoid tissues, purified and placed in culture they undergo 'spontaneous' activation. The basis of this was explored, using up-regulation of DC surface MHC II, CD40, CD80 and CD86 as indicators of DC activation. No evidence was found for DC damage during isolation or for microbial products causing the activation. The culture activation of spleen DCs differed from that of Langerhans cells when released from E-cadherin-mediated adhesions, since E-cadherin was not detected and activation still occurred with β-catenin null DCs. Much of the activation could be attributed to DC-DC interactions. Although increases in surface MHC II levels occurred under all culture conditions tested, the increase in expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 was much less under culture conditions where such interactions were minimised. DC-to-DC contact under the artificial conditions of high DC concentration in culture induced the production of soluble factors and these, in turn, induced the up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules on the DC surface.
Vremec
David
D
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
O'Keeffe
Meredith
M
Wilson
Anne
A
Ferrero
Isabel
I
Koch
Ute
U
Radtke
Freddy
F
Scott
Bernadette
B
Hertzog
Paul
P
Villadangos
Jose
J
Shortman
Ken
K
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002678:Chimera; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013154:Spleen; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D016207:Cytokines; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D051176:beta Catenin