Effects of the dosage of GM-CSF on the maturation stage of murine marrow-derived dendritic cells

Objective To observe the effects of different dosages of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on generating the routine bone marrow dendritic cells, and supply suitable dosage of GM-CSF on preparation of dendritic cell vaccines used for different purpose. Methods Using low (5 ng/ml) and conventional (20 ng/ml) and high dosage( 50 ng/ml ) of GM-CSF combined interleukin-4 ( IL-4 ) to induce murine bone marrow dendritic cells were performed, The phenotypes (CD_(11c), CD_(80), CD_(86)) and functional properties of the DC were compared by FACS analysis and MLR. Results The DC induced by low dosage of GM-CSF were immature DC, expressing low CD_(11c), CD_(80), and CD_(86). DC induced by conventional dosage were functional mature, expressing higher CD_(11c), CD_(80), CD_(86), which could induce allogeneic T lymphocyte responses. DC induced by the high dosage GM-CSF were the most phetotypicaUy and functional mature cells, expressing the highest CD_(11c), CD_(80) CD_(86), which could induce the strongest allogeneic T lymphocyte responses. Conclusion The dosages of GM-CSF affect the maturation stage of dendritic cells. Low dosage of GM-CSF generated immature dendritic cells, but conventional dosage and high dosage generated mature dendritic cells. DC generated through high dosage of GM-CSF were the most mature in phenotype and function. Key words: Neoplasms,experimental; Dendritic cells; Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; Cancer vaccine; Immunotherapy