Dendritic cells previously exposed to mannan-binding lectin enhance cytokine production in allogeneic mononuclear cell cultures

• Published in: Human immunology Vol. 71; no. 11; pp. 1077 - 1083
• Main Authors: MacDonald, Shirley L, Downing, Ian, Atkinson, Anne P.M, Gallagher, Ronald C.J, Turner, Marc L, Kilpatrick, David C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2010
• Subjects: Allergy and Immunology; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Coculture Techniques; Cytokines - genetics; Cytokines - metabolism; Dendritic cells; Dendritic Cells - drug effects; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Dendritic Cells - metabolism; Dendritic Cells - pathology; Humans; Inflammation Mediators - metabolism; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - pathology; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; Mannan-binding lectin; Mannose-binding lectin; Mannose-Binding Lectin - pharmacology; Monocytes - drug effects; Monocytes - immunology; Monocytes - metabolism; Monocytes - pathology; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology; Mannan-binding lectin; Dendritic cells; Mannose-binding lectin
• ISSN: 0198-8859; 1879-1166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2010.07.011

Abstract Mannan (or mannose)–binding lectin (MBL) can bind to monocytes and dendritic cells, but the significance of such interactions is unknown. We hypothesized that the presence of MBL might prevent the differentiation of monocytes into monocyte-derived dendritic cells or interfere with the development of dendritic cells in some way. We therefore investigated the influence of recombinant human MBL on surface antigen expression and on secretion of selected cytokines. By these means, no direct influence of rhMBL on dendritic cell differentiation or maturation was detected. However, mature dendritic cells prepared in the presence of rhMBL and subsequently co-cultured with allogeneic mononuclear cells, markedly promoted production of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor–α in vitro . In most dendritic cell–mononuclear cell combinations, IFN-γ production was also enhanced. This influence required the presence of rhMBL during dendritic cell maturation and was critically dependent on the presence of monocytes. This observation provides evidence that MBL can influence cellular immunity in addition to its established role as an opsonin.