Using a cDNA glass microarray, the expression of 1081 genes in immature and mature dendritic cells (DCs) of two different individuals has been studied. The upregulation of m.RNA transcripts of genes encoding the transcription factor ZFM1, Mos proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase, B-cell-specific transcription factor, preB-cell growth stimulating factor, ets translocation variant 6, and epidermal growth-factor-like CRIPTO was for the first time detected in DCs. Using semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis the upregulation of the transforming growth factor-alpha, integrin alpha 6 and ZFM1 transcription factor in mature DCs was confirmed in samples from four different individuals. On the other hand, the downregulation of renin-binding protein transcript was detected in mature DCs using a cDNA microarray. For the first time, the expression of renin-angiotensin system genes was evaluated during maturation of DCs in samples from four donors by semiquantitative RT-PCR A possible role of the renin-angiotensin system in DCs is discussed.