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Published on: August 1, 2014
In situ localization of CD83-positive dendritic cells in psoriatic lesions
Tetsuya Koga1, Hong Duan, Kazunori Urabe
1Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. tekoga@dermatol.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Insights
Activated dendritic cells (DC) expressing CD83 were identified in psoriatic skin lesions. These CD83+ DC, found in clusters with lymphocytes, suggest a role in T cell activation within psoriasis.
Area of Science:
- Immunodermatology
- Cellular immunology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells.
- CD83 is a marker for activated, mature DC.
- Limited data exists on CD83+ DC in psoriasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To morphologically identify CD83+ DC in psoriatic skin lesions.
- To investigate the distribution and characteristics of CD83+ DC in psoriasis vulgaris and pustular psoriasis.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for CD83 on psoriatic skin sections.
- Use of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.
- Trypsin pretreatment of skin sections before immunostaining.
Main Results:
- A significant subpopulation of CD83+ DC was found in the upper dermis and occasionally in the epidermis.
- CD83+ DC were often clustered with mononuclear lymphoid cells and in close contact with lymphocytes.
- CD83 antigen staining was observed on both the surface and in the cytoplasm of DC.
Conclusions:
- Activated and mature CD83+ DC likely contribute to the immune response in psoriasis.
- Findings support the role of CD83+ DC in directly activating T cells within psoriatic lesions.
Background:
Dendritic cells (DC) are considered to be the most potent antigen-presenting cells, and CD83 is expressed at a high level on immune-competent, activated and mature DC. Although changes in the number or localization of mature and activated CD83+ DC could be expected in psoriasis, there is little information on such changes.
Aim:
Morphological identification of CD83+ DC in psoriatic skin lesions.
Materials And Methods:
Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 5 specimens of psoriasis vulgaris and 6 specimens of pustular psoriasis. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were used for examination in this study. The skin sections were pretreated with 0.1% trypsin for 60 min at 37 degrees C prior to immunostaining for CD83.
Results:
A small but significant subpopulation of CD83+ DC was found in the upper dermis. In addition, CD83+ DC were occasionally scattered in the epidermis. The most common distribution pattern of CD83+ DC was as clusters with mononuclear lymphoid cells in the upper dermis. CD83+ DC were in close contact with lymphocytes. High-intensity staining of CD83 antigens was detected not only on the surface, but also in the cytoplasm of DC.
Conclusion:
These results indicate that activated and mature CD83+ DC may play a role in the immune response in psoriasis and provide in vivo support for the concept that CD83+ DC provide signals for direct intralesional T cell activation.
