Cytokine expression and antigen-presenting capacity of 4F7 + dendritic cells derived from dermis, spleen, and lymph nodes

We took advantage of the recently generated 4F7 mAb, which recognizes an epitope expressed on dendritic cells (DC) from different tissues, to freshly isolate and positively sort for these cells and to characterize their cytokine pattern and antigen-presenting capacity in comparison with epidermal Langerhans cells (LC). RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses demonstrated constitutive mRNA expression of MIP-1 gamma, MIP-1 alpha, C10, and IL-1 beta in both 4F7+ DC and LC. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment resulted in the upregulation of mRNA expression of all four cytokines and in a newly detected signal for TNF alpha. Immunoblot analysis showed constitutive secretion of MIP-1 gamma, with LPS trea…