IL4 and IFNalpha generation of dendritic cells reveals great migratory potential and NFkB and cJun expression in IL4DCs

Dendritic cells (DCs) recently revealed as a potent tumor vaccine component, are commonly differentiated from monocytes by cultivation with IL-4 and GM-CSF. Despite the different opinions, the use of IFNalpha can promote DCs differentiation and activation. The aim of this study was to compare the functionality and phenotypic characterization of monocyte-derived DC generated by IL-4 (IL4DC) and IFNalpha (IFNalphaDC) modified protocols. To this aim, we investigated the expression of maturation markers, co-stimulatory molecules, relevant miRNA, cytokine and migratory profiles and the functional ability of these cells to stimulate autologous T cells in vitro. We herein investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the parameters previously described, as the relative expression of NF-kB p65, c-fos and c-jun, transcription factors. Our results demonstrated that IL4DC presented a stable phenotype, an increase in migratory capacity and NF-KB activation, in addition to lower levels of miR-146 a and miR-221. We believe that the IL4DC migratory potential and increase in NFkBp65 expression may be involved in higher IL12 expression and migration, suggesting a preferential activation of TH1 immune responses by IL4DC.