Dendritische Zellen - Dr. Kübler GmbH

Development of human dendritic cells and their function in transplantation
and malignancy
Because dendritic cells are important to the onset of T cell-mediated immune responses, we are
interested in how these cells can be utilized to enhance immunity in human disease. The hematopoietic
progenitor for human dendritic cells has been identified, and under defined cytokine conditions
this CD34+ progenitor can yield pure dendritic cell colonies. The conditions under which
dendritic cells expand and differentiate in suspension cultures in vitro from CD34+ precursors
and their intermediates have also been defined.
We have begun to use developing dendritic cells to generate antigen-specific, MHC-resticted cytolytic
T cell responses. Different methods of loading dendritic cells with antigen are being studied,
including gene transduction. These experiments are pertinent to the generation of anti-viral
and anti-tumor immunity. Based on these in vitro studies, we plan to utilize dendritic cells themselves
as in vivo immunogens to enhance T cell-mediated immunity in human disease and pathologic
conditions.
Additional interests are the ontogeny of dendritic cells and their influence on the reactivity patterns
of developing T cells in vivo in human allogeneic bone marrow transplant chimeras. These
issues are important in understanding the interactions between graft and host, and the reconstitution
of normal immune function.