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Dendritic cells in the respiratory tract.
P G Holt1, M A Schon-Hegrad, P G McMenamin
1Western Australia Research Institute for Child Health, Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth.
International Reviews of Immunology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Researchers identified dendritic cells (DCs) in lung tissue, forming a network in airways. These potent antigen-presenting cells may play a key role in lung inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Ia+ cells with dendritic morphology are present in human and animal lung tissue.
- These cells are found in both conducting airways and distal lung regions.
- They form a network within the airway epithelium, similar to epidermal Langerhans cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Ia+ dendritic cells (DCs) in the respiratory tract.
- To investigate their functional properties as antigen-presenting cells.
- To explore their potential role in airway immunoinflammatory diseases.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and concentration of dendritic cells from enzymatically disrupted respiratory tract tissue.
- Characterization based on physical properties (non-adherence, lack of Fc-receptors, low density on Percoll).
- Assessment of in vitro antigen-presenting cell function.
Main Results:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) were identified in lung epithelium and connective tissue.
- These DCs form a contiguous network within the airway epithelium.
- Isolated DCs function as highly effective antigen-presenting cells in vitro.
- Evidence suggests respiratory tract DCs dynamically respond to inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Dendritic cells are a significant component of the respiratory tract immune system.
- Their presence and function suggest a crucial role in local immune responses.
- DCs may be involved in the pathogenesis of immunoinflammatory lung diseases.