Simplified method to generate large quantities of dendritic cells suitable for clinical applications

The present study describes the optimization of an in vitro culture method for generating large amounts of dendritic cells (DC) in serum-free conditions from leukapheresis containing a mixed population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) which are cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-13. Initial comparisons between the generation of DC from bulk and monocyte-enriched leukapheresis products showed that the presence of lymphocytes during the culture favors the differentiation of monocytes into DC. DC yields obtained from mixed mononuclear cell cultures were between 38 and 54% higher than yields obtained from monocyte-enriched cultures. Both types of cultures resulted in the generation of DC with an immature phenotype (CD83- and high phagocytic activity), which have been previously shown to be good stimulators for T cell responses. DC yields of bulk cultures in serum-free conditions were significantly higher than those obtained in the presence of 2% human serum. The cytokines of the supernatants of serum-free cultures comprised a significant content of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-12 and TNF-alpha. Maturation of DC generated by this method can be induced by treatment with double-stranded RNA, LPS or TNF-alpha, resulting in enhanced surface expression of CD80, CD86, CD40, CD83 and MHC molecules on the DC. The methodology described here offers the possibility for generating large amounts of clinical grade DC from bulk leukapheresis products, thus avoiding DC precursor purification steps, and thereby minimizing the risks of contamination. This culture process may be applied to cell-based therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer or chronic viral infections.