Synergistic production of interleukin-23 by dendritic cells derived from cord blood in response to costimulation with LPS and IL-12

Abstract

This study was performed to provide insight for the optimization and regulation of immune homeostasis, which should be taken into account in the development of cell therapy using DCs and/or cytokine. Human CBDCs costimulated with LPS and IL-12 were examined for cytokine expression compared with ABDCs. Our results showed that costimulation with IL-12 and LPS in CBDCs resulted in increased expression of IL-23. Concomitantly, the phosphorylation of ERKs and p38 MAPK was increased, suggesting that these kinases are important signaling components for IL-23 induction in CBDC costimulated with LPS and IL-12. Furthermore, production of IL-23 in CBDC costimulated with LPS and IL-12 caused CD4(+) CD45RO(+) memory cells to increase IFN-gamma production. Taken together, CBDCs, costimulated with LPS and IL-12, show a synergistic increase in IL-23 production via enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK and consequently, an induction of IFN-gamma production in the memory cells. J. Leukoc. Biol. 86: 691-699; 2009.