Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Generation of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells from Whole Blood
Published on: December 24, 2016
Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells are a source of several complement proteins
E S Reis1, J A M Barbuto, L Isaac
1Laboratório de Complemento, Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1730, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
Little is known about the role of local production of complement components by dendritic cells (DCs) during the generation of specific immune responses. In this study, we demonstrate that human DCs are an extrahepatic source of several soluble complement proteins.
Methods:
Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to evaluate the expression and production of several complement proteins.
Results:
We show that DCs produce C3, C5, C9, Factor (F)I, FH, FB, FD and properdin at levels similar to macrophages. Treatment of DCs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promoted an increase in the expression of C3 and FI mRNAs and a decrease in C5 mRNA, while C9, FH, FB, FD and properdin mRNA levels were not affected. Treatment with interleukin (IL) -1 or dexamethasone induced a modest increase in C3 mRNA levels and did not affect the expression of other complement components.
Conclusion:
DCs are a source of complement proteins whose synthesis may be regulated in response to different inflammatory stimuli.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Complement System
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Antigen Presenting Cells
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...

