Expression of langerin/CD207 reveals dendritic cell heterogeneity between inbred mouse strains

Langerin/CD207 is expressed by a subset of dendritic cells (DC), the epithelial Langerhans cells. However, langerin is also detected among lymphoid tissue DC. Here, we describe striking differences in langerin-expressing cells between inbred mouse strains. While langerin+ cells are observed in comparable numbers and with comparable phenotypes in the epidermis, two distinct DC subsets bear langerin in peripheral, skin-draining lymph nodes of BALB/c mice (CD11c(high) CD8alpha(high) and CD11c(low) CD8alpha(low)), whereas only the latter subset is present in C57BL/6 mice. The CD11c(high) subset is detected in mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen of BALB/c mice, but is virtually absent from C57BL/6 mice. Similar differences are observed in other mouse strains. CD11c(low) langerin+ cells represent skin-derived Langerhans cells, as demonstrated by their high expression of DEC-205/CD205, maturation markers, and recruitment to skin-draining lymph nodes upon imiquimod-induced inflammation. It will be of interest to determine the role of lymphoid tissue-resident compared to skin-derived langerin+ DC.