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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

An Efficient and High Yield Method for Isolation of Mouse Dendritic Cell Subsets
09:09

An Efficient and High Yield Method for Isolation of Mouse Dendritic Cell Subsets

Published on: April 18, 2016

Constitutive versus activation-dependent cross-presentation of immune complexes by CD8(+) and CD8(-) dendritic cells

Joke M M den Haan1, Michael J Bevan

  • 1Department of Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7370, USA.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|September 18, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Murine splenic dendritic cells (DCs) have distinct roles in T cell stimulation. CD8(+) DCs constitutively cross-present antigens, while CD8(-) DCs require activation via Fc receptors for antigen cross-presentation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for T cell activation.
  • Murine splenic DCs comprise CD8alpha(+) and CD8alpha(-) subsets with distinct functions.
  • Cross-presentation of exogenous antigens via MHC class I to CD8(+) T cells is a key DC function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the differential roles of CD8alpha(+) and CD8alpha(-) DCs in antigen cross-presentation.
  • To determine the mechanisms by which different DC subsets present cell-associated antigens versus immune complexes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized ovalbumin (OVA) and OVA/anti-OVA immune complexes (OVA-IC) for antigen administration in mice.
  • Employed CD8alpha expression to distinguish DC subsets.
  • Used immunoglobulin G Fc receptor (Fc(gamma)R) common gamma-chain-deficient mice to assess FcgammaR involvement.

Main Results:

  • CD8alpha(+) DCs selectively cross-presented cell-associated OVA.
  • Both CD8alpha(+) and CD8alpha(-) DCs cross-presented OVA from OVA-IC.
  • Cross-presentation by CD8alpha(-) DCs required FcgammaRs, unlike CD8alpha(+) DCs.

Conclusions:

  • CD8alpha(+) DCs constitutively cross-present exogenous antigens.
  • CD8alpha(-) DCs require activation, such as FcgammaR ligation, for cross-presentation.
  • Immune complex cross-presentation by DCs may impact autoimmune diseases and cancer immunotherapy.

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