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An Efficient and High Yield Method for Isolation of Mouse Dendritic Cell Subsets
Published on: April 18, 2016
Functional expression of the costimulatory molecule, B7/BB1, on murine dendritic cell populations
C P Larsen1, S C Ritchie, T C Pearson
1Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.
Insights
Dendritic cells (DCs) activate T cells. Researchers found that DCs express B7/BB1, a molecule crucial for T cell proliferation in mixed leukocyte reactions, highlighting its role in initiating immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are key activators of T cells.
- The specific costimulatory molecules on DCs that drive T cell activation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify critical costimulatory molecules on dendritic cells.
- To investigate the role of B7/BB1 in T cell activation by DCs.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemical and molecular techniques were used to detect B7/BB1 expression on splenic DCs and epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs).
- Blocking experiments were performed in primary mixed leukocyte reactions to assess the functional requirement of B7/BB1.
Main Results:
- Splenic DCs were found to express B7/BB1, the ligand for CD28.
- B7/BB1 expression increased on LCs during their maturation into potent T cell stimulators.
- Blocking B7/BB1 function inhibited the proliferation of unprimed allogeneic T cells in DC-driven reactions.
Conclusions:
- Regulated expression of B7/BB1 on dendritic cells is important for initiating primary T cell responses.
- B7/BB1 plays a critical role in mediating T cell proliferation induced by DCs.
Abstract:
Whereas dendritic cells (DC) are known to be potent activators of T cells both in vitro and in vivo, the critical costimulatory molecules expressed on DC are not well characterized. Using immunocytochemical and molecular techniques we find that splenic DC express B7/BB1, the counter-receptor for CD28. Moreover, expression of B7/BB1 is upregulated on epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) during their functional maturation into potent T cell stimulators. In blocking experiments, we find that participation of B7/BB1 is required for optimal proliferation of unprimed, allogeneic T cells in DC-driven, primary mixed leukocyte reactions. These data demonstrate that the regulated expression of B7/BB1 on DC may be important in the initiation of a primary T cell response.
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