gp130-linked signal transduction promotes the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells

In order to explore the role of gp130-linked signal transduction in the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells (DC), the mAb, B-S12, an agonist of gp130, was used for the activation of gp130 on DC. The effects of cytokines and of anti-gp130 mAb on the proliferation of DC, and their expression of IL-12 and CD80 (B7-1) by DC were evaluated. DC differentiating from peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not express the IL-6 receptor alpha chain, but expressed gp130. Anti-gp130 mAb promoted the proliferation of DC, induced by IL-4 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), by up-regulating the GM-CSF receptor on DC. DC induced by gp130 mAb and cytokines expressed DC-derived CC chemokine, as measured by RT-PCR. Induced DC also stimulated strong proliferation of autologous T cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction since an up-regulated expression of IL-12 and CD80 (B7-1) was observed in DC activated by anti-gp130 mAb. Thus, gp130 signal transduction is important for the differentiation and maturation of DC.