Ex Vivo MDSC Differentiation Models

Abstract

The development of adequate ex vivo cell differentiation models is the key for the study of cell ontology and functions. For example, since ex vivo dif- ferentiation systems for conventional myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) were devel- oped, research in these important regulators of immunity was significantly increased. However, for other myeloid cell types such as myeloid-derived sup- pressor cells (MDSCs) this is more challenging. These cells are quite heterogeneous in phenotype and function, especially human MDSCs. Therefore, their mechanisms of differentiation are very poorly understood compared to other myeloid cell types. In recent years, several ex vivo differentiation methods have been developed to obtain cancer-specific MDSCs. Here we will describe some representative examples and briefly discuss their use and impact in MDSC research.