Serum amyloid a inhibits dendritic cell differentiation by suppressing GM-CSF receptor expression and signaling

In this study, we report that an acute phase reactant, serum amyloid A (SAA), strongly inhibits dendritic cell differentiation induced by GM-CSF plus IL-4. SAA markedly decreased the expression of MHCII and CD11c. Moreover, SAA decreased cell surface GM-CSF receptor expression. SAA also decreased the expression of PU.1 and C/EBPα, which play roles in the expression of GM-CSF receptor. This inhibitory response by SAA is partly mediated by the well-known SAA receptors, Toll-like receptor 2 and formyl peptide receptor 2. Taken together, we suggest a novel insight into the inhibitory role of SAA in dendritic cell differentiation.