Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Determination of Vaccine Immunogenicity Using Bovine Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 19, 2023
Noncanonical dendritic cell differentiation and survival driven by a bacteremic pathogen
Brodie Miles1, Elizabeth Scisci, Julio Carrion
11.Georgia Regent University Augusta, 1120 15th St., GC-1335, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. chcutler@gru.edu.
Porphyromonas gingivalis infection drives myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) expansion and differentiation via a novel pathway. This process, termed PDDC development, impacts immune homeostasis and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Maintaining blood dendritic cell (DC) homeostasis is crucial for preventing autoimmunity and managing infections.
- The mechanisms by which bacteremic pathogens influence DC homeostasis remain largely undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how the bacteremic pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis regulates blood DC homeostasis.
- To identify the molecular pathways involved in P. gingivalis-induced DC expansion and differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Infection of human monocytes with P. gingivalis strains.
- Assessment of DC differentiation using flow cytometry and gene silencing (siRNA).
- Analysis of PDDC phenotype, phagocytic activity, and T cell stimulatory capacity.
- Evaluation of apoptosis and pyroptosis resistance in infected DCs.
Main Results:
- P. gingivalis infection promotes the differentiation of monocytes into myeloid DCs (MoDCs) through a DC-SIGN/mfa-1 dependent pathway, independent of canonical factors.
- These P. gingivalis-derived DCs (PDDCs) exhibit bona fide DC characteristics and can stimulate T cell proliferation.
- P. gingivalis-infected MoDCs display resistance to apoptosis and pyroptosis.
Conclusions:
- A novel, noncanonical pathway for DC differentiation (PDDC development) induced by P. gingivalis has been identified.
- This mechanism contributes to altered immune homeostasis and may promote chronic inflammation during asymptomatic bacteremia.
Related Concept Videos
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Colonisation of Pathogens

