The activation of T cells through presentation of antigen by dendritic cells (DC) relies on many factors, including the correct balance of cytokines in the immediate microenvironment. Antigen presentation by DC migrating from carcinogen-treated skin is impaired as evidenced by the failure of antigen-pulsed DC to initiate specific T cell proliferation. To elucidate mechanism(s) of DC dysfunction, DC migrating from carcinogen-treated skin were collected, pulsed with OVA, and cultured with antigen-specific autologous lymphocytes. Supernatants were assayed for the costimulatory cytokine IL-1β which influences the outcome of DC:T cell interactions. The dendritic cells migrating from carcinogen-treated skin that failed to induce T cell proliferation were unable to produce IL-1β. This may account for the abrogation of DC function following exposure to chemical carcinogens and provides an explanation for the inability of DC to induce a protective immune response to carcinogen-induced tumours.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Immunology
Research Field:	Cellular Immunology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Other Health
Objective Field:	Health not elsewhere classified
Author:	Ragg, SJ (Dr Scott Ragg)
Author:	Woods, GM (Professor Gregory Woods)
Author:	Dandie, GW (Dr Geoffrey Dandie)
Author:	Muller, HK (Professor Konrad Muller)
ID Code:	9593
Year Published:	1997
Web of Science® Times Cited:	7
Deposited By:	Pathology
Deposited On:	1997-08-01
Last Modified:	2011-08-11
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