DENDRITIC CELLS DERIVED FROM BONE-MARROW AND CD34(-FREE MEDIA, DO NOTCONTAIN THE KAPOSI-SARCOMA HERPESVIRUS GENOME() SELECTED BLOOD PROGENITOR CELLS OF MYELOMA PATIENTS, CULTURED IN SERUM)

The aim of our study was to test if dendritic cells contain the KSHV g enome. CD34(+) peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) and bone marro w mononuclear cells were cultured in X-VIVO 15 medium supplemented wit h GM-CSF and TNF-alpha in gas-permeable containers. Dendritic cells we re identified morphologically and immunophenotypically. The KSHV genom e was not identified in any of the cases using a nested primer PCR app roach. Serological analysis corroborated the molecular findings: no an tibodies for KSHV were found in any of the multiple myeloma patients, These data are of importance when considering use of DC for therapeuti c approaches in multiple myeloma.