Comparison of CD34 and monocyte-derived dendritic cells from mobilized peripheral blood from cancer patients.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that are integral to the initiation of T-cell immunity. Two cell types can be used as a source for generating DCs: monocytes and CD34(+) stem cells. Despite many investigations characterizing DCs, none have performed a direct paired comparison of monocyte and stem cell-derived DCs.

Evidence for a mechanosensitive calcium influx into red cells.

Red cells exposed to glycophorin A reactive antibodies and lectins develop a non-specific cation permeability. To determine if this might be due to the activation of a non-selective mechanosensitive channel we have subjected red cells, loaded with a calcium responsive fluorescent probe, to filtration through 5 and 3 microm pores. Calcium entered 28% of normal red cells at the moment of deformation when 3 microm filtered, a finding consistent with the transient activation of a mechanosensitive channel.