# DENDRITIC CELLS:  IMMUNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

> **NIH NIH R01** · MARY IMOGENE BASSETT HOSPITAL · 1987 · $98,910

## Abstract

The dendritic cell is a recently recognized new cell type having important
immunological functions.  It provides accessory activity required for
responses of T lymphocytes, acts as a potent stimulator of a mixed
leukocyte reaction and, owing to its richness in Ia antigens, serves as a
critical "passenger cell" that elicits rejection of transplanted tissues.
Dendritic cells arise from precursors in bone marrow by a process that is
the major focus of this research proposal.  Virtually all precursors are
recovered in a low density fraction (LD-BMC) that provides a 20-fold
enrichment of these cells.  Studies in vitro with LD-BMC indicate that,
unlike the dendritic cell, the precursor is a dividing cell and is
deficient or devoid of Ia.  In cultures of LD-BMC, precursors develop over
a five day period into dendritic cells that are functionally and
morphologically indistinguishable from dendritic cells isolated from
tissues.  A soluble factor(s) produced by mitogen-treated lymphoid cells
markedly augments the production of dendritic cells.

Proposed studies aim at defining the role played by various cell types in
the development of dendritic cells from precursors in a liquid culture
system.  Specific immunoadsorption and rosetting procedures will be
applied.  Autoradiography, immunofluorescence, and functional tests will be
used to determine the kinetics of formation of Ia+ dendritic cells capable
of accessory and stimulatory activity.  The factor(s) responsible for
augmenting dendritic cell production will be purified for the purposes of
characterization and determining whether it acts directly on the precursor
or on some other regulatory cell.  The factor will also be used in an agar
system for studies on the frequency, composition, and renewal of colonies
of dendritic cells.  An attempt will also be made to propagate dendritic
cells.

With bone marrow replacement increasingly used as a therapeutic tool, a
greater knowledge of dendritic cell dynamics may contribute to making it a
more efficacious procedure.  No studies have been performed on the
development in vitro of dendritic cells, and our research will provide new
information about this process.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127490
- **Project number:** 5R01AI017887-06
- **Recipient organization:** MARY IMOGENE BASSETT HOSPITAL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MEENKNXWK6Y5
- **Principal Investigator:** William E Bowers
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $98,910
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-07-01 → 1989-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127490

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127490, DENDRITIC CELLS:  IMMUNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (5R01AI017887-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127490. Licensed CC0.

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