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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting for Purification of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells from the Mouse Bone Marrow
Published on: November 4, 2016
BAD-LAMP is a novel biomarker of nonactivated human plasmacytoid dendritic cells
Axel Defays1, Alexandre David, Aude de Gassart
1Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
The brain and dendritic cell (BAD)-associated lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP)-like molecule (BAD-LAMP, c20orf103, UNC-46) is a newly identified member of the family of LAMPs. BAD-LAMP expression in the mouse is confined to neurons. We demonstrate here that in humans, BAD-LAMP can specifically be found in the type I IFN-producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Human BAD-LAMP is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) of freshly isolated CD123(+) pDCs and is rapidly lost upon activation by unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) oligonucleotides. The restricted pattern of BAD-LAMP expression allows for the rapid identification of normal and leukemic human pDCs in tissues and blood.
Insights
Brain and dendritic cell (BAD)-associated lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP)-like molecule (BAD-LAMP) is found in human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Its expression pattern aids in identifying normal and leukemic pDCs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Lysosome-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs) are crucial for cellular functions.
- Brain and dendritic cell (BAD)-associated LAMP-like molecule (BAD-LAMP) is a newly identified LAMP family member.
- In mice, BAD-LAMP expression is restricted to neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression pattern of BAD-LAMP in human cells.
- To determine the cellular localization and regulation of BAD-LAMP in human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs).
- To assess the utility of BAD-LAMP as a biomarker for pDCs.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence staining to detect BAD-LAMP localization.
- Flow cytometry to analyze BAD-LAMP expression on isolated human pDCs.
- Stimulation of pDCs with CpG oligonucleotides to study BAD-LAMP regulation.
Main Results:
- Human BAD-LAMP is specifically expressed in type I IFN-producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs).
- BAD-LAMP localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) in freshly isolated pDCs.
- BAD-LAMP expression is rapidly downregulated upon pDC activation by CpG oligonucleotides.
Conclusions:
- BAD-LAMP expression is a specific marker for human pDCs.
- The dynamic expression of BAD-LAMP upon activation offers insights into pDC function.
- BAD-LAMP serves as a potential biomarker for the rapid identification of normal and leukemic pDCs in clinical settings.
