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Development of CD8alpha-positive dendritic cells from a common myeloid progenitor

D Traver1, K Akashi, M Manz

  • 1Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 16, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Dendritic cells (DCs) play key roles in immunity and tolerance. Contrary to previous beliefs, CD8alpha expression on DCs does not indicate a lymphoid origin, suggesting maturation status, not ontogeny, drives subset differences.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Hematopoiesis

Background:

  • Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for initiating adaptive immunity and maintaining self-tolerance.
  • Distinct DC subsets, originating from myeloid or lymphoid lineages, were thought to mediate these opposing functions.
  • CD8alpha expression on DCs was traditionally associated with a lymphoid origin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental origin of CD8alpha+ and CD8alpha- dendritic cell subsets.
  • To determine if CD8alpha expression is a reliable marker for lymphoid-derived DCs.
  • To clarify the factors contributing to phenotypic and functional differences among DC subsets.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of dendritic cell populations in thymus and spleen.
  • Tracing the origin of dendritic cells from clonogenic common myeloid progenitors.
  • Phenotypic characterization of CD8alpha+ and CD8alpha- DCs.

Main Results:

  • Both CD8alpha+ and CD8alpha- dendritic cells can originate from common myeloid progenitors.
  • These progenitor cells were identified in both the thymus and spleen.
  • CD8alpha expression is not exclusive to DCs of lymphoid origin.

Conclusions:

  • The origin of dendritic cells (DCs) is not solely determined by CD8alpha expression.
  • Phenotypic and functional variations in DC subsets are more likely linked to their maturation stage.
  • Ontogeny does not dictate the distinct roles of myeloid versus lymphoid-derived DCs.

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