Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Characterization of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells by Imaging Flow Cytometry: A Comparison between Two Monocyte Isolation Protocols

Characterization of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells by Imaging Flow Cytometry: A Comparison between Two Monocyte Isolation Protocols

Published on: October 18, 2016

Ethanol consumption modifies dendritic cell antigen presentation in mice.

Richard Heinz¹, Carl Waltenbaugh

¹Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.

Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research

|September 14, 2007

Summary

Alcohol consumption impairs antigen-presenting cell (APC) function, specifically dendritic cells (DCs), leading to altered immune responses. This study reveals how ethanol affects DC subsets and cytokine production, impacting adaptive immunity.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Methodological considerations in estrogen assays of breast fluid and breast tissue.

Steroids·2014

Same author

Soy isoflavone supplementation for breast cancer risk reduction: a randomized phase II trial.

Cancer prevention research (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2012

Same author

Ethylenecarbodiimide-treated splenocytes carrying male CD4 epitopes confer histocompatibility Y chromosome antigen transplant protection by inhibiting CD154 upregulation.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)·2010

Same author

Patterns of sex steroid hormones in nipple aspirate fluid during the menstrual cycle and after menopause in relation to serum concentrations.

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology·2010

Same author

Antigen-specific responses accelerate bacterial clearance in the bladder.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)·2006

Same author

Restoration of ethanol-compromised T(h)1 responses by sodium orthovanadate.

International immunology·2002

Area of Science:

Immunology
Toxicology
Cell Biology

Background:

Alcohol consumption is known to suppress type 1 cell-mediated adaptive immunity.
The specific impact of alcohol on antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations and their cytokine production requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of alcohol consumption on APC populations, particularly dendritic cells (DCs).
To analyze how alcohol influences cytokine production in response to antigen presentation.

Main Methods:

BALB/c mice were administered ethanol or control diets.
Macrophage and dendritic cell (DC) populations were isolated and co-cultured with CD4+ T cells to assess antigen presentation.
Cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17A, IFN-gamma) were measured using ELISA; cell surface molecule expression was analyzed by flow cytometry.

More Related Videos

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Published on: June 23, 2023

An Efficient and High Yield Method for Isolation of Mouse Dendritic Cell Subsets

An Efficient and High Yield Method for Isolation of Mouse Dendritic Cell Subsets

Published on: April 18, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Characterization of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells by Imaging Flow Cytometry: A Comparison between Two Monocyte Isolation Protocols

Characterization of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells by Imaging Flow Cytometry: A Comparison between Two Monocyte Isolation Protocols

Published on: October 18, 2016

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Published on: June 23, 2023

An Efficient and High Yield Method for Isolation of Mouse Dendritic Cell Subsets

An Efficient and High Yield Method for Isolation of Mouse Dendritic Cell Subsets

Published on: April 18, 2016

Main Results:

Ethanol consumption diminished the ability of CD11c+ DCs, specifically the CD11c+CD8(alpha)+ subset, to support T cell IFN-gamma responses.
APC from ethanol-fed mice showed reduced production of IL-6, IL-12, IL-17A, and IFN-gamma, alongside increased IL-13 production when stimulated.
Ethanol consumption did not significantly alter the percentage of splenic DCs but increased CD11c surface density.

Conclusions:

Ethanol consumption impairs the function of CD11c+CD8(alpha)+ DCs, altering cytokine profiles critical for adaptive immune responses.
The findings propose a unifying hypothesis for the mechanisms underlying ethanol's detrimental effects on adaptive immunity.