Bryostatin-1 in combination with calcium ionophore promotes the maturation of human umbilical cord-blood monocyte-derived dendritic cells capable of activating neonatal alloreactive T cells

We have investigated the effect of bryostatin-1 (Bryo-1) and calcium ionophore (CI) on maturation and functions of DCs generated from adherent cells of cord blood cultured with GM-CSF plus IL-4 (CB-DCs). The CB-DCs treated with Bryo-1 + CI exhibited morphologic characteristics of mature DCs, expressed increased levels of CD1a, CD80, CD83, CD86, and MHC class II as well as enhanced ability to induce proliferation of alloreactive T cells isolated from cord blood and IFN-γ production. Treatment of CB-DCs with TNF-α or PMA + CI was less effective. Thus, Bryo-1 + CI promotes maturation of CB-DCs and therefore could be used to enhance the neonatal immune response.