A dynamic observation on the levels of TNF-?、IL-6 and IFN-? produced by human dendritic cells infected with Dengue virus

AIM: To study the dynamic levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and gamma interferon (IFN-?) produced by human dendritic cells infected with Dengue virus. METHODS: Monocytes isolated from healthy human peripheral blood were incubated in medium with GM-CSF and IL-4 for more than 7 days. DCs were then collected and identified by scanning electron microscope, immunohistochemistry and lymphocytes stimulatory ability. Human dendritic cells (DC) were infected with Dengue-2 virus (DV-2) in vitro, culture supernatants were collected in different time postinfection (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h), DV antigen in human dendritic cells were demonstrated by an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA), production of TNF-?, IL-6 and IFN-? in the culture supernatants were evaluated by ELISA. RESULTS: After 7 days, typical dendritic cells could be obtained. Virus antigen were detected in infected DC by IFA. Dengue virus induces TNF-? and IL-6 secretion from DC and does not induce IFN secretion. CONCLUSION: Human dendritic cells are target of dengue virus infection. TNF-?, IL-6 production from DC are increased with DV infection. Dendritic cells may play an important role in DV pathogenicity and immunity.