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Modulation of phenotype and function of dendritic cells by a therapeutic synthetic killer peptide
Author(s) -
Cenci Elio,
Pericolini Eva,
Mencacci Antonella,
Conti Stefania,
Magliani Walter,
Bistoni Francesco,
Polonelli Luciano,
Vecchiarelli Anna
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.0205113
Subject(s) - biology , immune system , major histocompatibility complex , microbiology and biotechnology , dendritic cell , receptor , cd16 , mhc class ii , immunology , cd8 , biochemistry , cd3
The strong microbicidal effects of an engineered synthetic killer peptide (KP), which functionally mimics a fungal killer toxin, have been demonstrated extensively. β‐glucan has been identified as a receptor for KP on fungal cell walls. Although the direct microbicidal and related therapeutic effects have been studied in depth, no information currently exists about the interaction of KP with immune cells. In this study, we exploited the possibility of KP binding to different murine immune cell populations. The results demonstrate that KP binds selectively to dendritic cells (DC) and to a lesser extent, to macrophages but not to lymphocytes and neutrophils; KP binding possibly occurs through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD16/32, and cellular molecules recognized by anti‐specific intercellular adhesion molecule‐grabbing nonintegrin R1 antibodies; and KP modulates the expression of costimulatory and MHC molecules on DC and improves their capacity to induce lymphocyte proliferation. These findings provide evidence that this synthetic KP interacts selectively with DC and modulating their multiple functions, might also serve to improve the immune antimicrobial response.