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Characterization of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells by Imaging Flow Cytometry: A Comparison between Two Monocyte Isolation Protocols
Published on: October 18, 2016
Alcohol exposure impairs myeloid dendritic cell function in rhesus macaques
Robert W Siggins1, Gregory J Bagby, Patricia Molina
1Alcohol Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112-1393, USA.
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|June 3, 2009
Summary
Chronic alcohol exposure significantly reduces myeloid dendritic cell (DC) populations in bone marrow and circulation. Alcohol also impairs DC maturation by suppressing CD83 expression, potentially hindering T-cell immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
- Hematology
Background:
- Alcohol intoxication is known to suppress innate and adaptive immunity.
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial intermediaries between innate and acquired immune responses.
- The precise effects of alcohol on DC development and function remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic alcohol exposure on hematopoietic precursor and DC populations.
- To analyze alterations in bone marrow and peripheral blood DC populations in rhesus macaques.
- To assess the functional consequences of alcohol on DC maturation and costimulatory molecule expression.
Main Methods:
- Rhesus macaques received daily alcohol or sucrose for 3 months via gastric catheters.
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bone marrow cells (BMCs) were isolated for flow cytometry.
- Monocytes were cultured and differentiated into immature DCs (iDCs), then stimulated to mature into myeloid DCs in the presence or absence of alcohol, with analysis of costimulatory molecule expression.
Main Results:
- EtOH-treated animals showed significantly lower numbers of myeloid DCs in PBMCs and BMCs compared to controls.
- Alcohol exposure inhibited the increase in lineage-HLA-DR+CD83+ cells during iDC to mature DC transformation.
- Alcohol suppressed the expression of the costimulatory molecule CD83 on differentiating DCs.
Conclusions:
- Chronic alcohol consumption decreases both bone marrow and circulating myeloid DC pools.
- Alcohol impairs dendritic cell maturation by suppressing CD83 expression.
- This suppression may attenuate the capacity of DCs to initiate T-cell expansion and adaptive immunity.

