Objective   To investigate the maturization and migration function of murine immature dendritic cells (DCs) after transfection with chemokine receptor-7 (CCR7) recombinant adenovirus

in vitro

.     Methods   Bone marrow cells were isolated from health BALB/c mice and then the mononuclear cells were screened with gradient centrifugation. Immature dendritic cells were induced in the presence of recombinant murine interleukin-4 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Recombinant adenovirus vector encoding full-length murine CCR7 cDNA was transfected into the

immature dendritic cells by centrifugal force method. Then the morphology

cell phenotype

CCR7 expression and migration in the immature dendritic cells were observed after the transfection with CCR7 recombinant adenovirus by scanning electron microscopy

flow cytometry

Western blot analysis and Transwell cell migration assay.     Results   The recombinant adenovirus slightly induced imDCs to transform into mature DCs which was observed by scanning electron microscopy

but IL-10 inhibited the process; Flow cytometry indicated the cell phenotype of the cells after transfection were corresponded to the typical characteristics of imDCs; Western blotting confirmed the CCR7 expression was enhanced in the transfected imDCs; The migration percentage of transfected imDCs was improved from 4.2% to 36.1%.    Conclusion   The imDCs transfected with CCR7 recombinant adenovirus show the morphology and cell phenotype are consistent with the typical characteristics of imDCs; but presenting enhanced CCR7 expression and obviously improved ability of migration.