Objective To characterize the mRNA expression of rnCXC chemokine IL-8, CC chemokine monocyte rnchemothractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and regulated on rnactivation,normal T cell expressed and secreted rn(RANTES), and a newly defined DC chemokine DC-rnCK1 as well as the expression of IL-8 receptor, MCP-1 rnreceptor and RANTES receptor in human monocyternderived dendritic cells (MoDCs).The migratory rnresponsiveness of MoDC to IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES rnwas alsso studied.rnMethods In vitro generated MoDCs were obtained by rndifferentiating monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF rnand IL-4 for 5 days. The time course of RNA rnexpression was analyzed by RT-PCR and migratoly rnability was assessed by a micromultiwell chemotaxis rnchamber assay.rnResults IL-8, MCP-1, RANTES and their corresrnponding receptors were consistently expressed in rnMoDCs. DC-CK-1 expression was detectable efter 48 rnhours of differentiation. MoDC selectively migrated in rnresponse to MCP-1 and RANTES but not to IL-8 rnthough transcripts of IL-8 receptor were present.rnConclusion Because the capacity of dendritic cells to rninitiate immune responses depends on their specialized rnmigratory and tissue homing properties, the expression rnof chemokines and their receptors along with the rnmigratory responsiveness to chemokines of MoDC in rnour study suggests a potential role of chemokines in the rninteraction between dendritic cells and T cells and the rninduction of immune responses.