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Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Generation of Immature, Mature and Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells with Differing Metabolic Phenotypes
Published on: June 22, 2016
Fever-like temperature induces maturation of dendritic cells through induction of hsp90
Sreyashi Basu1, Pramod K Srivastava
1Center for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Infectious Diseases, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, MC1601, Farmington, CT 06030-1601, USA.
Abstract:
Fever is a phylogenetically conserved biological phenomenon and a common consequence of infection. Here, we examine in vitro and in vivo the effect of febrile temperature on dendritic cells (DC), a key antigen-presenting cell in the immune system. Elevated temperatures are observed to cause immature DC to mature, specifically through elevation of intracellular levels of hsp90. Surprisingly, even brief exposure to elevated temperatures has a powerful effect on the immunostimulatory capacity of DC. These results bear on the mechanisms of the salutary effects of fever as well as of behavioral elevations of temperature such as saunas and warm blankets.
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