Reactive oxygen species activate human peripheral blood dendritic cells

• Published in: Free radical biology & medicine Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 232 - 238
• Main Authors: Rutault, Karine, Alderman, Charles, Chain, Benjamin M., Katz, David R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 1999
• Subjects: Acetylcysteine - pharmacology; Antigens, CD - metabolism; B7-2 Antigen; CD40 Antigens - metabolism; Cell Communication; Dendritic cell activation; Dendritic Cells - drug effects; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Dendritic Cells - metabolism; Free radical; Free Radical Scavengers - pharmacology; HLA-DQ Antigens - metabolism; HLA-DR Antigens - metabolism; Humans; Hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - pharmacology; In Vitro Techniques; Lymphocyte Activation; Membrane Glycoproteins - metabolism; Oxidative Stress; Phenotype; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Stress; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; NAC; Reactive oxygen species; Dendritic cell activation; Hydrogen peroxide; GM-CSF; ROS; Stress; Free radical; DC
• ISSN: 0891-5849; 1873-4596
• DOI: 10.1016/S0891-5849(98)00194-4

This study investigates the effects of hydrogen peroxide, a potent oxygen free radical donor, on the phenotype and function of dendritic cells differentiated from peripheral blood precursors. We report that hydrogen peroxide induces an up-regulation of several dendritic cell surface markers involved in interaction with T cells, including MHC Class II molecules (DQ and DR) and the co-stimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86. Moreover we have observed that H
2O
2-treated dendritic cells are more efficient in promoting T cell proliferation than normal dendritic cells and that this enhancement can be blocked using the free radical scavenger agent
N-acetylcysteine. Oxygen free radicals are a common by-product of inflammation, and our results suggest they may play an important role in activation of sentinel dendritic cells, linking tissue damage to the initiation of an adaptive immune response.