Generation and utilization of a HEK-293T murine GM-CSF expressing cell line

Macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are innate immune cells that play a key role in defense against pathogens. In vitro cultures of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) are well-established and valuable methods for immunological studies. Typically, commercially available recombinant GM-CSF is utilized to generate BMDCs and is also used to culture alveolar macrophages. We have generated a new HEK-293T cell line expressing murine GM-CSF that secretes high levels of GM-CSF (~180 ng/ml) into complete media as an alternative to commercial GM-CSF. Differentiation of dendritic cells and expression of various markers were kinetically assessed using the GM-CSF HEK293T cell line, termed supGM-CSF and compared directly to purified commercial GMCSF. After 7–9 days of cell culture the supGM-CSF yielded twice as many viable cells compared to the commercial purified GM-CSF. In addition to differentiating BMDCs, the supGM-CSF can be utilized to culture functionally active alveolar macrophages. Collectively, our results show that supernatant from our GM-CSF HEK293T cell line supports the differentiation of mouse BMDCs or alveolar macrophage culturing, providing an economical alternative to purified GM-CSF.