A leukemic plasmacytoid dendritic cell line, PMDC05, with the ability to secrete IFN-α by stimulation via Toll-like receptors and present antigens to naïve T cells

We established a plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) line (PMDC05) from leukemia cells of pDC leukemia. PMDC05 cells were positive for CD4, CD56, CD33, HLA-DR, CD123 (IL-3Rα) and CD86 in the absence of lineage markers. mRNA of TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 was clearly expressed and among these TLRs, TLR7 was prominent. Production of IFN-α and IL-12 in PMDC05 was enhanced by the stimulation with CpG-A and LPS, respectively. PMDC05 possessed a considerable antigen presenting ability, which was enhanced by culturing with IL3, influenza virus or LPS. PMDC05 could be a useful tool for investigating the pathophysiology of pDCL.