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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
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Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting for Purification of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells from the Mouse Bone Marrow
Published on: November 4, 2016
Compartment specific expression of dendritic cell markers in human glomerulonephritis
S Segerer1, F Heller, M T Lindenmeyer
1Medizinische Poliklinik-Innenstadt, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. Stephan.segerer@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Kidney International
|March 28, 2008
Summary
In kidney disease, macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) infiltrate the kidneys. Interstitial myeloid DCs, identified by DC-SIGN, correlate with serum creatinine, highlighting their role in progressive glomerular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Renal pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cellular immunology
Background:
- Macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are critical bone marrow-derived cells involved in renal diseases.
- These cells are heterogeneous and plastic, necessitating detailed characterization in kidney conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize macrophages and dendritic cells in renal biopsies from control and glomerulonephritis patients.
- To elucidate the specific roles of these myeloid cells in the pathogenesis of kidney disease.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was performed on 55 renal biopsies.
- Markers used included CD68 (pan monocyte/macrophage/DC), DC-SIGN (myeloid DC), BDCA-2 (plasmacytoid DC), and Langerin (Langerhans' cells).
- Analysis of mRNA expression for DC-SIGN, DC-LAMP, and MHC class II in the tubulointerstitial space.
Main Results:
- Proliferative glomerulonephritis showed numerous CD68+ cells in glomeruli and tubulointerstitium; DC-SIGN+ cells were restricted to the tubulointerstitium.
- Plasmacytoid DCs (BDCA-2+) were found in areas of interstitial inflammation.
- Interstitial CD68+ and DC-SIGN+ cell counts correlated with serum creatinine levels.
- Tubulointerstitial mRNA levels of DC-SIGN, DC-LAMP, and MHC class II increased in proliferative glomerulonephritis compared to controls.
- Glomerular CD68+ cells lacked DC markers (macrophages), while interstitial CD68+ cells were predominantly DC-SIGN+ (myeloid DCs).
Conclusions:
- Glomerular infiltration consists mainly of macrophages, whereas the tubulointerstitium is infiltrated by myeloid dendritic cells.
- The number of interstitial myeloid dendritic cells correlates with serum creatinine, indicating their significance in progressive glomerular diseases.
