In vitro generation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells methodological aspects in a comprehensive review

Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) initiate and shape both innate and adaptive immune responses. They are specialized in antigen presentation to naive T cells, thereby orchestrating the T cell immune responses. Human peripheral blood and tissues contain several subsets of phenotypically and functionally distinct DCs, which promote interactions between the external environment and lymphoid organs. Because of the difficulty in purifying these cells, in vitro studies only became more frequent when Frederica Sallusto and Antonio Lanzavecchia developed a method to generate DCs from blood monocytes in vitro. Nowadays a wide range of biotechnological innovations has allowed the study of DCs and their precursors in the most diverse situations faced by the immune system. As a result of such studies, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) are presently used in clinical protocols for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer and human immunodeficiency virus infection. We summarize recent advances in the understanding of methodologies and inputs used in protocols to differentiate DCs from blood monocytes in vitro.