This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This study investigates the cell biology of dendritic cells (DC) in co-culture with airway epithelial cells. The objective is to determine if different DC subtypes predict the immune response (Th1 vs. Th2) to ambient particulate matter. Primary cells derived from blood and bronchoscopy will be cultured ex vivo. This highly innovative study should provide important basic information. The investigators will set up a new laboratory system in which allogeneic a) blood monocytes or b) blood CD34-positive cord-blood cells are cultured in a two-chamber apparatus that permits these cells to contact differentiated respiratory epithelial cells in the presence of unspecified mixtures of different cytokines, FIT3 ligand, ambient air particulate matter, etc. The blood monocytes or CD34-positive cells will be monitored by unspecified means to determine the various possible ways that the differentiation of these cells might be influenced by the epithelial cells and the stimuli to which the cell mixtures are exposed. The issue of the influence of epithelial cells on the differentiation of precursor cells into immature and mature DC is important and worthy of study.
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