Amplification and functional identification of immature dendritic cells from rat bone marrow in vitro

Objective To establish a method for amplification of immature dendritic cells(DC) from murine bone marrow in vitro and investigate correlations between maturation degree of DC and varying dosages of granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF).Methods Dendritic cells from murine bone marrow were cultured with different dosages of rm GM-CSF.The suspension cells were examined with scanning electronic microscope,and the non-sensitized T lymphocyte proliferation was observed by mixed lymphocyte reaction.Results DC cultured in lower dosage of rmGM-CSF(GMlow DC) exhibited typical characteristics of DC,and had immature characteristics in cell phenotype and cell functions with high expression of CD11c and low expression of CD80,CD86 and MHC II on the surface of the cells.The ability of GmlowDC to stimulate the proliferation of non-sensitized T lymphocyte in vitro was weaker than that of GmhighDC.Conclusions The methods of immature DCs culturing establised by allthors was feasible.The dosage of rm GM-CSF has a direct relationship with the maturation degree of DC.