Objective:To investigate the different function of dendritic cells between patients with lupus nephritis and healthy control,and discuss the pathogenesis of the disease.Methods: Choose 50 healthy controls,50 patients with lupus nephritis,and isolation of blood dendritic cells.Then samples were induced with GM-CSF and IL-4,and cells were collected on day 7.DC maturity was evaluated using the following methods:fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis for cell surface markers;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for cytokine production;cell proliferation assay for induction of T cell proliferation.Results: Compared with the control group,lupus nephritis group had increased MHC Ⅱ,CD86,CD80,and CD40 expression(P<0.05);displayed the increased IL-12 and TNF-αlevels(P<0.05);displayed a increased ability to drive lymphocyte cells proliferation (P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared with the control group ,dendritic cells in lupus nephritis group displayed the mature condition ,which indicates that dendritic cells play the important role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.