Biorheological changes of dendritic cells at the different differentiation stages

The differentiation, maturation and functioning of Dendritic cells (DCs) are dynamic processes. This study investigated the changes of DCs' migration ability and biorheological properties during their differentiation. Transmigration assay showed that, DCs' migration rate was improved significantly as they differentiate (p < 0.05); NSC (Rac1 blocker) treatment could significantly decrease their migration rates (p < 0.05). Confocal images showed that, F-actin uniformly distributed in monocytes; with DC's differentiation, F-actin began to remodel and gather at the site of dendrites; the images presented surface ruffles and uneven sawtooth-like cytoskeletal structures. Fluorescence polarization analysis showed that, membrane fluidity was increased significantly with DC's differentiation (p < 0.05). CD62L was upregulated significantly (p < 0.05) on the third and ninth days. CD2 was upregulated significantly (p < 0.05) until the seventh day. DC's electrophoretic mobility was increased continuously, especially increased significantly from the third day to the fifth day and the final stage (p < 0.05). These results indicate that there are significant changes in the biorheological properties of DCs during their differentiation.