Methods are provided for inducing differentiation of blood monocytes into functional antigen presenting dendritic cells. The blood monocytes are treated by exposing the monocytes to proteins adhered to the surface of a treatment device to induce differentiation of the monocytes in to dendritic cells. The treated monocytes may be co-incubated with disease effector agents which have been rendered apoptotic or other source of antigens. The apoptotic disease effector cells are phagocytized by the maturing dendritic cells. In a preferred embodiment, the blood monocytes are treated in the plastic device without use of a photoactivatable agent and light.
