Lentiviral-mediated shRNA against RelB induces the generation of tolerogenic dendritic cells

ObjectiveLentiviral-mediated shRNA against RelB was used to produce tolerogenic dendritic cells from murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs).MethodRelB expression in the BMDCs was silenced by lentivirus carrying RelB shRNA. The apoptosis rate and surface markers of DCs were assessed by flow cytometry. IL-12,IL-10,TGF-β1 secreted by DCs and DNA binding capacity of NF-κB subunits in the nucleus were measured by ELISA, independently. MLR was used to analyze the capacity of DCs to inhibit immune response.ResultsRelB expression was significantly inhibited in DCs following lentiviral mediated delivery of RelB specific shRNA. The RelB shRNA-DC produced lower IL-12 and higher IL-10 than mature dendritic cells (mDCs) and silencing control DCs. There was no difference in the apoptosis rate between shRNA RelB-DCs and mDCs. The expression levels of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86 and CD83) and MHC-II class molecule were lower in the RelB shRNA-DCs than in the mDCs and silencing control DCs. In addition, RelB shRNA also inhibited the RelB DNA binding capacity but had no effect on other NF-κB subunits. The shRNA RelB-DCs can significantly inhibit mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and down-regulate Th1 cytokines and prompt the production of Th2 cytokines.ConclusionOur results indicate RelB shRNA transfection of DCs can induce the immature status, and produce tolerogenic DCs.

► We silence the RelB expression in dendritic cells (DCs) by RelB shRNA lentivirus. ► The RelB shRNA lentivector has no effect on the apoptosis of DCs. ► RelB shRNA inhibits the RelB DNA binding capacity but has no effect on other NF-κB subunits. ► The DCs silenced by shRNA RelB lentivector display immune-tolerogenic features.