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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
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Published on: April 18, 2016
GM-CSF increases cross-presentation and CD103 expression by mouse CD8⁺ spleen dendritic cells
Yifan Zhan1, Emma M Carrington, Annemarie van Nieuwenhuijze
1Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. zhan@wehi.edu.au
Insights
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) enhances the immune functions of CD8(+) dendritic cells (DCs), including antigen cross-presentation and pathogen uptake. GM-CSF also regulates CD103 expression, contributing to functional diversity in CD8(+) DCs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- CD8(+) dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for cellular immunity, mediating antigen cross-presentation and pathogen clearance.
- The regulatory mechanisms governing CD8(+) DC functions, particularly during infection, remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in modulating the functions of resident CD8(+) DCs.
- To determine if GM-CSF influences CD8(+) DC interactions with Listeria monocytogenes and antigen cross-presentation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro analysis of resident CD8(+) DCs.
- Assessment of antigen cross-presentation and pathogen uptake.
- Evaluation of CD103 expression levels on CD8(+) DCs.
- Investigation of GM-CSF's impact on DC survival.
Main Results:
- GM-CSF significantly enhances antigen cross-presentation and the uptake of Listeria monocytogenes by CD8(+) DCs.
- This functional enhancement by GM-CSF is independent of promoting DC survival in vitro.
- GM-CSF strongly regulates CD103 expression on CD8(+) DCs, indicating a role in functional heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- GM-CSF is identified as a key cytokine that enhances critical functions of resident CD8(+) DCs.
- GM-CSF contributes to the functional heterogeneity observed within CD8(+) DC populations, at least partially demarcated by CD103 expression.
Abstract:
Resident CD8(+) DCs perform several functions, including cross-presenting antigen and rapidly engulfing the Gram-positive intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Little is known about how these functions of CD8(+) DCs are modulated. Here, we show that granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), a cytokine that exists at low levels at steady state but is elevated during infection and inflammation, enhances cross-presentation and rapid uptake of L. monocytogenes by resident CD8(+) DCs. This previously unrecognized functional enhancement of CD8(+) DCs by GM-CSF was independent of promoting DC survival in vitro. Enhancement of these functions by GM-CSF was also marked by CD103 expression on CD8(+) DCs that was strongly regulated by GM-CSF. Our findings not only identify GM-CSF as a key molecule regulating CD8(+) DC function, but also as a factor responsible for functional heterogeneity of CD8(+) DCs that is at least substantially demarcated by CD103 expression.
