Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells that link innate with adaptive immunity. They circulate the body and sample the microenvironments for maintaining homeostasis and for mounting T-cell responses against invading pathogens, foreign antigens, and aberrant self-proteins. In humans, DC derived from blood monocytes (MDC) by cytokine treatment provide the most abundant and versatile source for studying DC and T-cell biology, and for use as adjuvants in cancer therapy. In asthma patients, T-cell functions are studied by using autologous MDC as accessory cells for allergen presentation. The method for isolating T cells and monocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the stimulation of T cells to proliferate and produce cytokines by MDC are outlined in this chapter. The method can be applied to the functional studies of T cells and DC in other diseases.
Keywords: Allergen; Antigen presentation; Asthma; Dendritic cells; Der p 2; House dust mite; Human; Monocytes; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; T lymphocytes.