Steps and control mechanisms of human dendritic cel differentiation

In order to achieve deeper knowledge on human dendritic cell (DC) subtypes differentiation, circulating CD14+ monocytes have been isolated and cultured for 7 days with GM-CSF, IL4 and TGFb. Maturation was achieved by further culture for 48h with cytokines. Rosiglitazone was used to stimulate PPAR-gamma. Obtained results indicate that upon addition of rosiglitazone the differentiation of CD14+ cells to Langherans cells is hampered, at variance with what happens with cultures of CD133+ precursors. They also indicate that the generation of non-dendritic elongated cells, possibly M2 machrophages, can occur.