Phenotype and functions of spleen dendritic cells in rick-knockout mice

RICK (receptor-interacting caspase-like apoptosis-regulatory kinase), a protein kinase, promotes nuclear factor kappa B and caspase activation. Herein, in order to further learn the immune role of RICK, its gene in mice was knocked out. Then the phenotype, cytokine, endocytosis and stimulatory capacity of spleen dendritic cells (SDCs) from RICK- (knockout) and RICK+ (wild type) mice were analyzed. Our results showed that the levels of I-Ad, CD11b, CD80 on SDCs from RICK- mice were higher while the levels of CD8α, CD40, CD45R were lower compared with those from RICK+ mice; The intracellular levels of IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in SDCs from RICK- mice were higher than those from RICK+ mice; The endocytosis and stimulatory capacities of SDCs from RICK- mice were higher and lower than those from RICK+ mice respectively. These data suggested that RICK had a profound influence on the maturation and functions of murine SDCs and subsequently regulated the organ immune responses.