Antigen presenting cells treated in vitro by macrophage colony-stimulating factor and autoantigen protect mice from autoimmunity

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a critical cytokine in the development of monocytic lineage and may have immunoregulatory properties. Here we show that peritoneal antigen presenting cells (APCs) treated with M-CSF produced decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12. These APCs treated with M-CSF + autoantigen peptide significantly suppressed antigen-specific T cell proliferation, induced regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vitro and in vivo, and significantly suppressed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Thus, in vitro treatment of APCs with M-CSF + autoantigen can be a novel therapeutic option for autoimmune diseases.