| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method for differentiation and maturation of monocytes into IL3-R+ CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells comprising incubating said monocytes with a combination of IFN-b and IL-3, or functional analogues thereof. The present invention also relates to a composition for use as a medicament or a cell based product for clinical use comprising IL-3 and IFN-b, and/or, monocytes in combination with IL-3 and IFN-b, and/or, a population of IL3-R+ CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells, and/or, a population of antigen-presenting IL3-R+ CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells, and/or, a population of activated T cells obtainable using antigen-presenting IL3-R+ CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells. The present invention further elucidates the use of said composition for the preparation of a medicament for treating cancer, infections and autoimmune diseases and its use for the preparation of in vitro screening assays. |