甘草甜素对树突状细胞表型及生物学功能的影响

培养小鼠髓系DC2．4细胞,加入LPS（阳性对照组）或甘草甜素,用扫描电镜观察DC的超微结构、流式细胞仪检测DC表面分子MHCII、CD86及CD40的表达、4-氨基安替比林（4-AAP）比色检测DC内酸性磷酸酶活性、ELISA方法检测DC培养上清中IL—12的浓度,体外刺激淋巴细胞增殖实验检测DC对同种异体T淋巴细胞的刺激能力。结果表明,与对照组相比,甘草甜素刺激后,DC表面树突状突起增多,表面分子MHCⅡ、CD86及CD40表达增加,酸性磷酸酶活性下降,培养上清中IL-12浓度升高,刺激同种异体T淋巴细胞的能力也明显增强。结果表明,甘草甜素能够促进小鼠髓系DC2.4表型及功能的成熟。     

人咽鳞癌Fadu细胞RNA负载人树突状细胞后体外诱导特异性CTL的研究

目的:探讨咽鳞癌细胞总RNA转染的树突状细胞(DC)疫苗体外诱导特异性抗肿瘤免疫的能力.方法:分离人脐血单个核细胞,经重组人粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(rhGM-CSF)、重组人IL-4(rhIL-4)诱导不成熟DC(iDC),提取人咽鳞癌细胞FaDu总RNA后,转染入人iDC,成为FaDu RNA/DC疫苗,用流式细胞仪检测DC表面分子CD40、CDS0、CD83、CD86、HLA-DR的表达,混合淋巴细胞反应测定DCs刺激同种异基因T细胞增殖能力.用LDH法评估转染肿瘤总RNA的DC瘤苗的细胞毒性T淋巴细胞反应.结果:与转染前比较,人咽鳞癌细胞FaDu总RNA转染后脐血单核细胞来源DCs表面CD40、CD80、CD83、CD86、HLA-DR分子水平明显升高(P均<0.05);可显著促进T细胞增殖,在体外能诱导高效而特异的抗下咽癌免疫效应(P<0.05).结论:人咽鳞癌细胞的总RNA转染的DC肿瘤疫苗能诱导CD8+,CD4+T细胞免疫,是较有临床应用前景的下咽癌免疫治疗方法.     

人DC体外分化成熟特性及抗P-选择素功能域单抗对其干预调节

结合树突状细胞(DC)生物学特性, 探讨抗P-选择素lectin-EGF功能域单抗(PsL-EGFmAb)对体外培养人DC成熟和功能干预调节的作用. 通过SCF, GM-CSF, TGF-β₁, Flt-3L及TNF-α体外培养体系, 从脐血CD34⁺造血干细胞中诱导扩增获得DC, 并于细胞成熟过程中用PsL-EGFmAb及辅以IL-10作为对照进行干预. 分别观察和检测DC形态学及细胞活力, 细胞表面分子HLA-DR, CD1a, CD11c, CD54, CD83, CD80, CD86, CD209(DC-SIGN)及CD62P, E, L(P-、E-、L-选择素)表达, 细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平, 及IL-12p35, p40 mRNA与NF-κBP50, P65 mRNA表达, 培养上清液中IL-12p70分泌含量, 以及DC体外对T淋巴细胞刺激能力, 以此分析PsL-EGFmAb 对DC成熟与功能的干预状况. 结果显示, 未成熟DC高表达属模式识别受体的C型凝集素DC-SIGN外, 且胞内蓄积适量ROS, 具备了细胞吞噬能力. 成熟DC除仍高表达DC-SIGN, 伴随细胞内NF-κB基因明显表达, 其表面黏附共刺激分子CD11c, CD83, CD80, CD86表达上调, 且细胞因子IL-12合成分泌增加, 并具明显的体外刺激T淋巴细胞增殖能力, 符合于抗原提呈细胞特征. 此外, 未成熟和成熟DC基本不表达P-, E-选择素, 而分别高表达和低表达L-选择素. 进一步发现, PsL-EGFmAb较对照IL-10对DC表面DC-SIGN表达有抑制作用; 也能抑制细胞内NF-κB基因表达, 并相应抑制或下调DC黏附共刺激分子CD11c, CD83, CD80, CD86及HLA-DR表达, 抑制IL-12基因转录及其合成分泌, 以及抑制DC体外刺激T细胞增殖的能力. 上述结果表明, PsL-EGFmAb对DC分化成熟及功能具有抑制作用, 提示此作用与其抑制作为DC模式识别受体及功能分子DC-SIGN有关, 并可能是通过影响NF-κB信号途径起作用.     

应用siRNA技术探讨MCF-7乳腺癌细胞分泌的VEGF对树突状细胞的影响

为探讨MCF-7乳腺癌细胞分泌的血管内皮生长因子（ vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF）对树突状细胞（dendritic cell, DC）功能及其分化的影响,针对VEGF基因设计siRNA（small interfering RNA, siRNA),采用脂质体转染法以100 nmol/L最佳转染浓度导入MCF-7乳腺癌细胞（siRNA组）,以脂质体Lipofectamine　2000TM转染MCF-7 乳腺癌细胞培养上清培养正常DC作为对照（对照组）,采用ELISA法检测经siRNA 干扰VEGF基因后的MCF-7 乳腺癌细胞分泌的VEGF因子含量, Western 印迹检测VEGF蛋白表达,以探讨siRNA的基因沉默效果;以siRNA组和对照组培养上清分别培养外周血单个核细胞,用流式细胞仪检测所诱导DC表型CD1a、CD80、CD83、CD86和HLA-DR的表达,用MTT法检测转染前后两组DC 诱导的细胞毒性T淋巴细胞（cytotoxic T lymphocyte, CTL）对MCF-7细胞的细胞毒作用.结果显示,MCF-7 乳腺癌细胞培养上清能明显抑制正常DC分化成熟及抗原递呈能力,干扰VEGF基因后MCF-7 乳腺癌细胞培养上清对DC的影响明显降低,CD80、CD83、CD86和HLA-DR的表达较对照组显著升高,而CD1a表达下降（P＜0.01）.转染前后DC 诱导的CTL对MCF-7细胞的杀伤活性有明显差异（P＜0.01）.由此可见,siRNA可靶向抑制MCF-7乳腺癌细胞VEGF的表达,下调VEGF后的MCF-7 细胞上清对DC分化成熟及功能的抑制作用明显降低,从而推测VEGF在肿瘤的发生、发展和免疫抑制方面可能起着重要的作用.     

p53转染黑色素瘤细胞修饰的树突状细胞疫苗体外抗肿瘤作用的研究

利用野生型p53质粒转染黑色素瘤B16细胞,反复冻融法提取p53修饰的肿瘤抗原(p53-Ag),将抗原体外冲击同基因小鼠骨髓来源的树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DC)制备特异性DC肿瘤疫苗;观察DC诱导的淋巴细胞增殖反应和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(cytotoxic T lymphocytes,CTL)对黑色素瘤细胞的细胞毒效应,分析其诱导肿瘤抗原特异性免疫应答的机制。结果显示,p53-肿瘤抗原冲击的DC可显著刺激淋巴细胞增殖,其诱导的CTL效应对肿瘤细胞也有很好的杀伤效果。     

甘露糖结合凝集素对小鼠脾脏CD11c~+髓样树突状细胞表型和功能影响的体外研究

目的探讨甘露聚糖结合凝集素(Mannan-binding lectin,MBL)对CD11c+髓样树突状细胞(CD11c+m DC)表型和功能的影响。方法应用磁珠分选技术获得BALB/c小鼠脾脏CD11c+m DC和CD4+T淋巴细胞。在CD11c+m DC中加入不同浓度的MBL(2.5~20μg/m L)刺激,以不加MBL的细胞作为对照,应用ELISA法检测细胞培养上清液中的IL-12水平,流式细胞仪检测细胞表面分子CD40、CD80、CD86及HLADR的表达。用MTT法测定CD11c+m DC刺激CD4+T淋巴细胞的增殖能力。ELISA法检测细胞培养液中IL-4和IFN-γ水平。结果 MBL显著增强CD11c+m DC表面分子CD40、CD80、CD86及HLA-DR的表达和IL-12的分泌,促进CD4+T淋巴细胞的增殖和抗原递呈能力,诱导CD4+T向TH1反应分化。结论 MBL能够有效刺激CD11c+m DC的活化,诱导CD4+T淋巴细胞向TH1反应分化。     

小鼠骨髓源性树突状细胞的体外扩增、鉴定及生物学特性研究

目的:对树突状细胞体外大量扩增及树突状细胞的临床应用提供理论基础.方法:以重组小鼠粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(rmGM-CSF)、重组小鼠白介素-4(rmIL-4)和重组小鼠肿瘤坏死因子-α(rm TNF-α)体外诱导小鼠骨髓细胞分化为DC,倒置显微镜动态观察细胞形态学变化,流式细胞术分析细胞表面分子,并应用混合淋巴细胞反应检测其刺激T淋巴细胞的增殖能力.结果:经体外诱导培养第2天即可见大量细胞集落形成;培养至第9天,DC成熟,具有典型的形态,同时DC可以显著刺激同种异体混合淋巴细胞增殖.结论:体外诱导培养可以获得大量小鼠骨髓来源的DC,可广泛应用于临床实验及实验研究.     

CD1d/NKT在抗HBV和HCV中的作用

CD1d是人类白细胞表面的抗原分子,它可以将脂质抗原递呈给天然杀伤T细胞（NKT）,使其激活.而NKT是近年来发现的一类特殊的T细胞,它既可以表达T细胞表面标志,又可以表达天然杀伤细胞（NK）表面标志,能识别由CD1d递呈的抗原,广泛参与自身免疫调节.近年来,许多研究发现,CD1d/NKT可以有效抑制肝炎病毒的复制.     

生物肽-蛋氨酸脑啡肽增强树突状细胞抗肿瘤活性研究

采用反复冻融法制备Rac-1淋巴瘤细胞总抗原,与树突状细胞（DC2.4）共培养制备DC瘤苗;设置不同实验组,M组及RM组加入蛋氨酸脑啡肽（MENK）,研究MENK对DC瘤苗抗肿瘤细胞的杀伤活性影响。结果表明：MENK作用于DC瘤苗后,DC2.4形态上更趋向于成熟,且CD86、MHC-Ⅱ类分子表达水平与对照组相比较明显升高;DC2.4酸性磷酸酶（ACP）含量与对照组相比较明显减少而IL-12的分泌水平升高;同时,DC2.4诱导淋巴细胞增殖能力增强,且诱导活化的淋巴细胞对Rac-1淋巴瘤细胞的杀伤活性与对照组相比较明显增强。结果可见,MENK可明显促进特异性负载Rac-1淋巴瘤抗原的DC2.4的成熟,并增强特异性诱导活化的淋巴细胞对Rac-1淋巴瘤细胞的杀伤活性。     

Antigen-specific transfer of functional programmed death ligand 1 from human APCs onto CD8+ T cells via trogocytosis

Upon specific interaction with APCs, T cells capture membrane fragments and surface molecules in a process termed trogocytosis. In this study, we demonstrate that human Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells acquire the coinhibitory molecule programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) from mature dendritic cells (mDC) and tumor cells in an Ag-specific manner. Immature dendritic cells were less effective in transferring surface molecules onto CD8(+) T cells than mDCs. Interestingly, trogocytosis of PD-L1 requires cell-cell contact and cannot be induced by uptake of soluble proteins obtained from mDC lysates. The transfer process is impaired by inhibition of vacuolar ATPases in T cells as well as by fixation of dendritic cells. Of importance, CD8(+) T cells that acquired PD-L1 complexes were able to induce apoptosis of neighboring programmed death 1-expressing CD8(+) T cells. In summary, our data demonstrate that human CD8(+) T cells take up functionally active PD-L1 from APCs in an Ag-specific fashion, leading to fratricide of programmed death 1-expressing, neighboring T cells. The transfer of functionally active coinhibitory molecules from APCs onto human CD8(+) T cells could have a regulatory role in immune responses.     

Mature but not immature Fas ligand (CD95L)-transduced human monocyte-derived dendritic cells are protected from Fas-mediated apoptosis and can be used as killer APC

Several in vitro and animal studies have been performed to modulate the interaction of APCs and T cells by Fas (CD95/Apo-1) signaling to delete activated T cells in an Ag-specific manner. However, due to the difficulties in vector generation and low transduction frequencies, similar studies with primary human APC are still lacking. To evaluate whether Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) expressing killer APC could be generated from primary human APC, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) were transduced using the inducible Cre/Loxp adenovirus vector system. Combined transduction of DC by AdLoxpFasL and AxCANCre, but not single transduction with these vectors, resulted in dose- and time-dependent expression of FasL in >70% of mature DC (mDC), whereas <20% of immature DC (iDC) expressed FasL. In addition, transduction by AdLoxpFasL and AxCANCre induced apoptosis in >80% of iDC, whereas FasL-expressing mDC were protected from FasL/Fas (CD95/Apo-1)-mediated apoptosis despite coexpression of Fas. FasL-expressing mDC eliminated Fas(+) Jurkat T cells as well as activated primary T cells by apoptosis, whereas nonactivated primary T cells were not deleted. Induction of apoptosis in Fas(+) target cells required expression of FasL in DC and cell-to-cell contact between effector and target cell, and was not dependent on soluble FasL. Induction of apoptosis in Fas(+) target cells required expression of FasL in DC, cell-to-cell contact between effector and target cell, and was not dependent on soluble FasL. The present results demonstrate that FasL-expressing killer APC can be generated from human monocyte-derived mDC using adenoviral gene transfer. Our results support the strategy to use killer APCs as immunomodulatory cells for the treatment of autoimmune disease and allograft rejection.     

Expanded numbers of circulating myeloid dendritic cells in patent human filarial infection reflect lower CCR1 expression

APC dysfunction has been postulated to mediate some of the parasite-specific T cell unresponsiveness seen in patent filarial infection. We have shown that live microfilariae of Brugia malayi induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. This study addresses whether apoptosis observed in vitro extends to patent filarial infections in humans and is reflected in the number of circulating myeloid DCs (mDCs; CD11c(-)CD123(lo)) in peripheral blood of infected microfilaremic individuals. Utilizing flow cytometry to identify DC subpopulations (mDCs and plasmacytoid DCs [pDCs]) based on expression of CD11c and CD123, we found a significant increase in numbers of circulating mDCs (CD11c(+)CD123(lo)) in filaria-infected individuals compared with uninfected controls from the same filaria-endemic region of Mali. Total numbers of pDCs, monocytes, and lymphocytes did not differ between the two groups. To investigate potential causes of differences in mDC numbers between the two groups, we assessed chemokine receptor expression on mDCs. Our data indicate that filaria-infected individuals had a lower percentage of circulating CCR1(+) mDCs and a higher percentage of circulating CCR5(+) mDCs and pDCs. Finally, live microfilariae of B. malayi were able to downregulate cell-surface expression of CCR1 on monocyte-derived DCs and diminish their calcium flux in response to stimulation by a CCR1 ligand. These findings suggest that microfilaria are capable of altering mDC migration through downregulation of expression of some chemokine receptors and their signaling functions. These observations have major implications for regulation of immune responses to these long-lived parasites.     

Intra-articular CD1c-expressing myeloid dendritic cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients express a unique set of T cell-attracting chemokines and spontaneously induce Th1, Th17 and Th2 cell activity

Introduction

Myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) are potent T cell-activating antigen-presenting cells that have been suggested to play a crucial role in the regulation of immune responses in many disease states, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite this, studies that have reported on the capacity of naturally occurring circulating mDCs to regulate T cell activation in RA are still lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic and functional properties of naturally occurring CD1c (BDCA-1)⁺ mDCs from synovial fluid (SF) compared to those from peripheral blood (PB) of RA patients.

Methods

CD1c⁺ mDC numbers and expression of costimulatory molecules were assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis in SF and PB from RA patients. Ex vivo secretion of 45 inflammatory mediators by mDCs from SF and PB of RA patients was determined by multiplex immunoassay. The capacity of mDCs from SF to activate autologous CD4⁺ T cells was measured.

Results

CD1c⁺ mDC numbers were significantly increased in SF versus PB of RA patients (mean 4.7% vs. 0.6%). mDCs from SF showed increased expression of antigen-presenting (human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, CD1c) and costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86 and CD40). Numerous cytokines were equally abundantly produced by mDCs from both PB and SF (including IL-12, IL-23, IL-13, IL-21). SF mDCs secreted higher levels of interferon γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monokine induced by interferon γ (MIG) and, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), but lower macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) levels compared to mDCs from PB. mDCs from SF displayed a strongly increased capacity to induce proliferation of CD4⁺ T cells associated with a strongly augmented IFNγ, IL-17, and IL-4 production.

Conclusions

This study suggests that increased numbers of CD1c⁺ mDCs in SF are involved in the inflammatory cascade intra-articularly by the secretion of specific T cell-attracting chemokines and the activation of self-reactive T cells.     

Tumor immunotherapy using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells overexpressing Toll-like receptor adaptors

Myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) play an important role in the initiation of immune responses to cancer and infectious diseases. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed on mDCs recognize microbial products to elicit signals for mDC maturation, including cytokine production, antigen-presentation and induction of effector cells. TLR agonists work as adjuvants to modulate the function of mDCs. In TLR signaling, MyD88 and TRIF/TICAM-1 are major TLR adaptor molecules, which when overexpressed are able to transduce downstream signals without TLR stimuli. We successfully introduced the adaptors into mouse bone marrow-derived mDCs using lentiviral vectors. Introduction of MyD88 into mDCs in vitro led to the production of IL-6 and IL-12p40 while introduction of TICAM-1 stimulated interferon (IFN)-alpha production. Expression of TICAM-1, but not MyD88, in mDCs slightly induced the co-stimulatory molecule CD86, while significant upregulation of CD86 was observed in response to other TLR stimuli. Both MyD88 and TICAM-1 augmented allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Ex vivo mouse spleen cells pre-exposed to tumor antigen exhibited antitumor cytotoxicity when incubated with MyD88- or TICAM-1-expressing mDCs. Using mDC adoptive transfer and a syngeneic mouse tumor implant model, we established an antitumor immunotherapy whereby tumor growth is retarded by adaptor-manipulated mDCs.     

Synovial T cell hyporesponsiveness to myeloid dendritic cells is reversed by preventing PD-1/PD-L1 interactions

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate PD-1/PD-L1 involvement in the hyporesponsiveness of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fluid (SF) CD4 T cells upon stimulation by thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)–primed CD1c myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs).

Methods

Expression of PD-1 on naïve (Tn), central memory (Tcm) and effector memory (Tem) CD4 T cell subsets was assessed by flow cytometry. PD-L1 expression and its regulation upon TSLP stimulation of mDCs from peripheral blood (PB) and SF of RA patients were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometry. The involvement of PD-1/PD-L1 interactions in SF T cell hyporesponsiveness upon (TSLP-primed) mDC activation was determined by cell culture in the presence of PD-1 blocking antibodies, with or without interleukin 7 (IL-7) as a recognized suppressor of PD-1 expression.

Results

PD-1 expression was increased on CD4 T cells derived from SF compared with PB of RA patients. TSLP increased PD-L1 mRNA expression in both PB and SF mDCs. PD-L1 protein expression was increased on SF mDCs compared with PB mDCs and was associated with T cell hyporesponsiveness. Blockade of PD-1, as well as IL-7 stimulation, during cocultures of memory T cells and (TSLP-primed) mDCs from RA patients significantly recovered T cell proliferation.

Conclusion

SF T cell hyporesponsiveness upon (TSLP-primed) mDC stimulation in RA joints is partially dependent on PD-1/PD-L1 interactions, as PD-1 and PD-L1 are both highly expressed on SF T cells and mDCs, respectively, and inhibiting PD-1 availability restores T cell proliferation. The potential of IL-7 to robustly reverse this hyporesponsiveness suggests that such proinflammatory cytokines in RA joints strongly contribute to memory T cell activation.     

Sialyllactose in viral membrane gangliosides is a novel molecular recognition pattern for mature dendritic cell capture of HIV-1

HIV-1 is internalized into mature dendritic cells (mDCs) via an as yet undefined mechanism with subsequent transfer of stored, infectious virus to CD4+ T lymphocytes. Thus, HIV-1 subverts a DC antigen capture mechanism to promote viral spread. Here, we show that gangliosides in the HIV-1 membrane are the key molecules for mDC uptake. HIV-1 virus-like particles and liposomes mimicking the HIV-1 lipid composition were shown to use a common internalization pathway and the same trafficking route within mDCs. Hence, these results demonstrate that gangliosides can act as viral attachment factors, in addition to their well known function as cellular receptors for certain viruses. Furthermore, the sialyllactose molecule present in specific gangliosides was identified as the determinant moiety for mDC HIV-1 uptake. Thus, sialyllactose represents a novel molecular recognition pattern for mDC capture, and may be crucial both for antigen presentation leading to immunity against pathogens and for succumbing to subversion by HIV-1.     

Specific blockade by CD54 and MHC II of CD40-mediated signaling for B cell proliferation and survival

Regulation of B lymphocyte proliferation is critical to maintenance of self-tolerance, and intercellular interactions are likely to signal such regulation. Here, we show that coligation of either the adhesion molecule ICAM-1/CD54 or MHC II with CD40 inhibited cell cycle progression and promoted apoptosis of mouse splenic B cells. This resulted from specific blockade of NF-kappa B induction, which normally inhibits apoptosis. LPS- or B cell receptor (BCR)-induced proliferation was not inhibited by these treatments, and mAb-induced association of CD40 with other B cell surface molecules did not have these effects. Addition of BCR or IL-4 signals did not overcome the effect of ICAM-1 or MHC II on CD40-induced proliferation. FasL expression was not detected in B cell populations. These results show that MHC II and ICAM-1 specifically modulate CD40-mediated signaling, so inhibiting proliferation and preventing inhibition of apoptosis.     

The extrinsic RNA-sensing pathway for adjuvant immunotherapy of cancer

Infection with RNA viruses presents a typical pattern of virus products, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and induces the maturation of antigen-presenting dendritic cell (mDC). There are several dsRNA sensors that are differentially distributed on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm and are variably expressed depending on the cell type. Among these sensors, TLR3 links to the adaptor TICAM-1 (TRIF), which is characterized by its unique multipronged signaling cascades for cytokine/chemokine production, apoptosis and autophagy in both immune and tumor cells. In the context of mDC maturation, various cellular events are further induced in response to dsRNA; these include cross-priming followed by CD8+ CTL induction, NK activation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells including Th1, Th2, Treg and Th17 cells. In this review, we focus on the potential role of dsRNA in modulating the inflammatory milieu around mDCs and tumor-associated antigens to drive specific cellular effectors against the tumor.     

Differential response of BDCA-1+ and BDCA-3+ myeloid dendritic cells to respiratory syncytial virus infection

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of respiratory infections in children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Severe infection is associated with short- and long-term morbidity including pneumonia, recurrent wheezing, and abnormal pulmonary function, and several lines of evidence indicate that impaired adaptive immune responses during infection are critical in the pathophysiology of RSV-mediated disease. Myeloid Dendritic cells (mDCs) play a pivotal role in shaping antiviral immune responses in the respiratory tract; however, few studies have examined the interactions between RSV and individual mDC subsets. In this study, we examined the effect of RSV on the functional response of primary mDC subsets (BDCA-1⁺ and BDCA-3⁺) isolated from peripheral blood.

Methods

BDCA-1⁺ and BDCA-3⁺ mDCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy adults using FACS sorting. Donor-matched BDCA-1⁺ and BDCA-3⁺ mDCs were infected with RSV at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 5 for 40 hours. After infection, cells were analyzed for the expression of costimulatory molecules (CD86, CD80, and PD-L1), cytokine production, and the ability to stimulate allogenic CD4⁺ T cell proliferation.

Results

Both BDCA-1⁺ and BDCA-3⁺ mDCs were susceptible to infection with RSV and demonstrated enhanced expression of CD86, and the inhibitory costimulatory molecules CD80 and PD-L1. Compared to BDCA-3⁺ mDCs, RSV-infected BDCA-1⁺ mDC produced a profile of cytokines and chemokines predominantly associated with pro-inflammatory responses (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, MIP-1α, and TNF-α), and both BDCA-1⁺ and BDCA-3⁺ mDCs were found to produce IL-10. Compared to uninfected mDCs, RSV-infected BDCA-1⁺ and BDCA-3⁺ mDCs demonstrated a reduced capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation.

Conclusions

RSV infection induces a distinct pattern of costimulatory molecule expression and cytokine production by BDCA-1⁺ and BDCA-3⁺ mDCs, and impairs their ability to stimulate T cell proliferation.The differential expression of CD86 and pro-inflammatory cytokines by highly purified mDC subsets in response to RSV provides further evidence that BDCA-1⁺ and BDCA-3⁺ mDCs have distinct roles in coordinating the host immune response during RSV infection. Findings of differential expression of PD-L1 and IL-10 by infected mDCs, suggests possible mechanisms by which RSV is able to impair adaptive immune responses.