Figure 1.

Diagram of research method.

Notes: Monocyte was cultured for 6 days to generate imDC. imDC was maturated by addition of LPS into the culture and incubation for 2 days. mDC was combined together with autologous PBMC for 5 days in a MLR culture in order to simulate the stimulation of T-cell activation and proliferation by DC. LPS binding onto DC surface was analyzed when it was still in the immature state. Expression of functional molecules and TGF-β secretion by DC were analyzed after it has reached maturity. DC-induced CD4+ T-cell proliferation was analyzed after MLR culture with PBMC. AFP was given to the positive treatment group at the beginning of MDDC culture.

Abbreviations: imDC, immature dendritic cell; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; mDC, mature DC; PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cell; MLR, mixed lymphocyte reaction; MDDC, monocyte-derived DC; AFP, alpha-fetoprotein; CFSE, carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester; DCCM, dendritic cell culture medium.