Abstract:Objective:To evaluate the effects of dendritic cells derived from bone marrow in the pathogenesis of asthma. Methods: A murine model of ovalbumin(OVA)-allergic asthma was established. DCs were developed by incubating bone marrow cells with rmIL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Phenotype was assessed with flow cytometry, and the antigen-presenting function was assessed with the mixed leukocyte reaction. Results: DCs expressing DCs characteristic 33D1 could be developed from bone marrow cells by using rmIL-4 and rmGM-CSF. The stimulating effect of DCs on the proliferation of the lymphocytes was shown in asthmatic and control group, but the effect in asthmatic group was more intensive than that in control group. DCs from asthmatic mice showed different phenotypes of CD86, but there were no differences in the expression of CD80 and CD40 between asthmatic and control group. Conclusion:This study suggests the antigen-presenting function of DCs in asthmatic group is increased and DCs may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.