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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Generation of Immature, Mature and Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells with Differing Metabolic Phenotypes
Published on: June 22, 2016
[IFN-gamma promotes human monocytes to differentiate to untypical mature DC]
Hui-ming Wang1, Yi-qin Wang, Zhi-hua Ruan
1Renal Department of Daping Hospital Chongqing 400042, China. hm_wang72@163.com
Aim:
To explore the morphologic and phenotypic changes of monocytess in response to the stimulation of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IFN-alpha.
Methods:
Newly isolated monocytes from human PBMCs were treated with IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha or IFN-alpha. The phenotypic growth of monocytes with or without stimulation was observed by microscope. The surface expression of CD1a, CD14, CD80, CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR on the monocytes was assayed by flow cytometry.
Results:
After IFN-gamma stimulation, monocytes displayed the shape of fusiform or polygon and were more likely to adhere and cluster to form the distinct structure as "cell islet". IFN-gamma; also induced or up-regulated the surface expression of CD80, CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR on the monocytes and down-regulated the CD14 expression. IFN-gamma even induced the CD1a expression and changed the monocytes phenotype from CD14(+)CD1a(-)CD83(-) to CD14(+)CD1a(+)CD83(+) after stimulated for 5 days. Cytokines TNF-alpha and IFN-alpha; have the different impacts on monocytes from IFN-gamma.
Conclusion:
IFN-gamma have the immunoregulatory function of making monocytes differentiate to untypical mature dendritic cells (DC).
Insights
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) induces monocytes to change shape and express markers of dendritic cells (DCs). This suggests IFN-γ has immunoregulatory functions, promoting monocyte differentiation into atypical mature DCs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Monocytes are crucial immune cells that can differentiate into various cell types, including dendritic cells (DCs).
- Cytokines play a significant role in modulating immune cell differentiation and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphologic and phenotypic alterations of human monocytes upon stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-alpha (IFN-α).
- To elucidate the potential of IFN-γ in inducing monocyte differentiation towards a dendritic cell phenotype.
Main Methods:
- Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated to obtain monocytes.
- Monocytes were stimulated in vitro with IFN-γ, TNF-α, or IFN-α.
- Morphological changes were observed using microscopy, and surface marker expression (CD1a, CD14, CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DR) was analyzed via flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- IFN-γ stimulation induced monocytes to adopt fusiform or polygonal shapes, promoting adherence and cluster formation into 'cell islets'.
- IFN-γ upregulated CD80, CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR expression while downregulating CD14. Notably, CD1a expression was induced.
- Monocyte phenotype shifted from CD14(+)CD1a(-)CD83(-) to CD14(+)CD1a(+)CD83(+) after 5 days of IFN-γ treatment. TNF-α and IFN-α exhibited different effects.
Conclusions:
- IFN-γ demonstrates immunoregulatory capacity by driving monocyte differentiation into atypical mature dendritic cells (DCs).
- These findings highlight the plasticity of monocytes and their potential to differentiate into antigen-presenting cells under specific cytokine stimuli.
