Isolation and Characterization of Macaque Dendritic Cells from CD34+ Bone Marrow Progenitors

We have developed a method for isolating and characterizing pigtailed macaque dendritic cells (DCs) generated from CD34+ bone marrow (BM) progenitors based on methods previously developed for isolating human DCs. Macaque DCs displayed a characteristic morphology and were potent stimulators of allogeneic T cell proliferation. They expressed a set of DC-associated markers, such as MHC class II, CD1a, CD4, CD11a, CD40, CD58, CD80, CD83, CD86, and CXCR4. Macaque DCs, as well as peripheral blood CD4+ T cells, were highly susceptible to HIV-2 infection, as detected by DNA–PCR. The expression of HIV-2 in macaque DCs was downregulated by treatment with the β-chemokine RANTES. Macaque DCs will be useful for defining the in vivo role of DCs in HIV pathogenesis and for optimizing and testing peptide–DC vaccines or tolerizing regimens.