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Development of the prenatal cutaneous antigen-presenting cell network
Adelheid Elbe-Bürger1, Christopher Schuster
1Department of Dermatology, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases (DIAID), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. adelheid.elbe-buerger@meduniwien.ac.at
Immunology and Cell Biology
|March 10, 2010
Summary
Investigating antigen-presenting cells in prenatal skin reveals their crucial role in immune development. This research compares human and mouse skin, enhancing our understanding of fetal immunocompetence.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- The skin acts as a vital physical and immune barrier.
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells, are key to immune responses.
- Prenatal skin immunity is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare recent findings on APCs in developing human and mouse skin.
- To analyze the phenotype and function of APCs in prenatal and perinatal skin.
- To elucidate the immunocompetence of fetal skin.
Main Methods:
- Comparative review of existing literature.
- Analysis of cellular phenotypes.
- Functional assessment of antigen presentation.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in characterizing APCs in prenatal skin.
- Differences and similarities exist between human and mouse fetal APC development.
- Early skin immune cells demonstrate functional capabilities in utero.
Conclusions:
- Understanding prenatal APCs is crucial for assessing fetal skin immunity.
- Comparative studies in humans and mice provide valuable insights.
- The developing skin exhibits a degree of immunocompetence before birth.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:22Antigen Presenting Cells
The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that protects the body from foreign invaders. T cells, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in this process. They recognize and attack foreign substances, such as pathogens, that enter the body.
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
01:15Development of the Lymphatic System
The development of lymphatic tissues and vessels in embryonic life begins around the fifth week. These structures originate from the mesoderm layer, with lymph sacs emerging from developing veins.
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...
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01:31Antigen Processing Pathways
MHC molecules are key players in the immune response, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to specific antigens. They are present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and are instrumental in presenting antigens to T cells and activating them. T cells recognize the MHC-antigen complex and initiate an immune response. MHC class I and MHC class II are two main types of MHC molecules, each associated with a distinct antigen processing pathway.
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...