Objective: To explore the effects of granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on the proliferation and activation of dendritic cells (DC) in vivo.
Methods: Balb/c mice were randomly assigned into the control and GM-CSF treatment group. After the lethal dosage of irridiation, green fluorescence protein labelled hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) were injected into the tail veins of the mice. The dosage of 0.1 micorg GM-CSF was administer subcutaneously every 2 days after the HSC infusion. The numbers and activation status of splenic DC were observed by flow cytometry 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the HSC transplantation.
Results: The numbers of splenic DC in the GM-CSF treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The expressions of surface marker CD40, CD80, and CD86 in the GM-CSF treatment group were also higher than those of the control group.
Conclusion: GM-CSF can enhance the proliferation and activation of DC in vivo.