摘要 |
A method of inducing dendritic cell (DC) development by administering Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor Ligand is provided. M-CSF receptor ligands induce DCs to differentiate into subtypes, for example plasmacytoid DCs and conventional DCs. Induction with an M-CSF receptor ligand can be achieved in vitro from hematopoietic precursors, such as bone marrow cells, or in vivo. In vitro, M-CSF receptor ligand-derived DCs can be used to produce cytokines and to stimulate other immune response cells. M-CSF receptor ligands can also be used to induce precursor cells removed from an animal to develop into DCs. In addition, these isolated DCs can be exposed to antigens to stimulate a specific immune response when reintroduced into the animal. Treatments for cancers, such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, are also provided in the invention.
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