Dendritic cells (DCs), unique antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with potent T cell stimulatory capacity, direct the activation and differentiation of T cells by providing costimulatory signals. As such, they are critical regulators of both natural and vaccine-induced immune responses. A new B7 family member, B7-DC, whose expression is highly restricted to DCs, was identified among a library of genes differentially expressed between DCs and activated macrophages. B7-DC fails to bind the B7.1/2 receptors CD28 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen (CTLA)-4, but does bind PD-1, a receptor for B7-H1/PD-L1. B7-DC costimulates T cell proliferation more efficiently than B7.1 and induces a distinct pattern of lymphokine secretion. In particular, B7-DC strongly costimulates interferon γ but not interleukin (IL)-4 or IL-10 production from isolated naive T cells. These properties of B7-DC may account for some of the unique activity of DCs, such as their ability to initiate potent T helper cell type 1 responses.
A human IgM Ab, serum-derived human IgM 12 (sHIgM12), is identified that binds mouse and human dendritic cells (DC), inducing dramatic immunopotentiation following treatment of the mouse DC in vitro. Competition, transfection, and knockout studies identified the ligand on mouse DC as the costimulatory molecule family member B7-DC. Potent T cell responses are stimulated by Ag-pulsed DC treated with the sHIgM12 Ab in vitro and upon adoptive transfer of Ab-treated Ag-pulsed DC into animals. The multivalent structure of pentameric IgM provides the potential for cross-linking cell surface targets, endowing the soluble Abs with biological potential not normally associated with immune function. The ability of the sHIgM12 Ab to potentiate the immune response is dependent on the multimeric structure of IgM, as bivalent monomers do not retain this property. Furthermore, pretreatment of DC with IgM monomers blocks subsequent potentiation by intact IgM pentamers, an indication that cross-linking of B7-DC on the cell surface is critical for potentiation of Ag presentation. These findings imply that, in addition to known costimulatory roles, B7-DC can function as a receptor for signals delivered by cells expressing B7-DC ligands.
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