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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection
Published on: January 26, 2019
Langerhans cells exhibit low responsiveness to double-stranded RNA
Hideki Fujita1, Akihiko Asahina, Hiroshi Mitsui
1Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Langerhans cells (LC) show low responsiveness to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), unlike splenic dendritic cells (DC). Keratinocytes (KC) may initiate skin antiviral responses through IL-1alpha production, promoting LC maturation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a viral product recognized by Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3).
- dsRNA is a potent activator of dendritic cells (DC), crucial for immune responses.
- Langerhans cells (LC) are key immune cells in the skin's epidermis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the responsiveness of Langerhans cells (LC) and splenic CD11c(+) dendritic cells (DC) to dsRNA.
- To investigate the role of keratinocytes (KC) in initiating antiviral immune responses in the skin.
Main Methods:
- Purified LC (>95%) using the panning method.
- Assessed Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) mRNA expression.
- Stimulated cells with Poly(I:C) (a dsRNA mimic) and measured cytokine/chemokine production and DC maturation.
Main Results:
- TLR3 mRNA was expressed in LC, splenic DC, and KC.
- Poly(I:C) stimulation enhanced IFN-beta mRNA in LC and splenic DC.
- LC showed significantly lower cytokine/chemokine production and maturation response to Poly(I:C) compared to splenic DC.
- Mouse KC cell line (PAM212) produced IL-1alpha upon Poly(I:C) stimulation, which promoted LC maturation.
Conclusions:
- LC exhibit limited responsiveness to dsRNA compared to splenic DC.
- Keratinocytes (KC) may play a primary role in initiating skin antiviral immunity via IL-1alpha production.
- IL-1alpha produced by KC can enhance the maturation of LC, bridging innate and adaptive immunity in the skin.
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