Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Visualization of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) Network in Mice
Published on: July 27, 2011
Network of dendritic cells within the muscular layer of the mouse intestine
Adriana Flores-Langarica1, Selene Meza-Perez, Juana Calderon-Amador
1Department of Immunology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Casco de Santo Tomás, 11340, Mexico.
Insights
Researchers discovered a novel network of dendritic cells (DCs) in the external muscular layer of the intestine. These intestinal dendritic cells express specific markers and respond to microbial stimuli, suggesting a new antigen-presenting system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial immune cells found at body surfaces, including the intestine.
- Previous studies have focused on DCs within the intestinal lining, but their presence in deeper layers remained largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of dendritic cells in different layers of the intestinal wall.
- To identify novel populations of intestinal dendritic cells and their functional capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Adaptation of an epidermal sheet separation technique to isolate distinct intestinal layers (luminal and serosal).
- Immunolabeling and flow cytometry (FACS) to identify cell populations and marker expression (DEC-205, CD11c, Langerin, CD14, MHC II).
- In vivo studies involving targeted antigen delivery (ovalbumin-DEC-205 conjugate) and response to microbial stimuli (LPS, live bacteria).
Main Results:
- Identification of a previously unrecognized, dense, planar network of dendritic cells in the external muscular layer (serosal-disposed) of the intestine.
- These intestinal dendritic cells express DEC-205, CD11c, Langerin, Fcgamma receptor, and CD14, with low levels of activation markers.
- Isolated DCs were capable of stimulating antigen-specific T cells and responded to microbial stimuli by upregulating key surface molecules.
Conclusions:
- A novel network of dendritic cells exists in the external muscular layer of the intestine, distinct from previously known populations.
- This serosal-disposed DC network represents a previously unrecognized antigen-presenting cell system in the gut.
- These findings expand our understanding of intestinal immunity and immune surveillance in the gastrointestinal tract.
Abstract:
Dendritic cells (DCs) are located at body surfaces such as the skin, respiratory and genital tracts, and intestine. To further analyze intestinal DCs, we adapted an epidermal sheet separation technique and obtained two intestinal layers, facing the lumen and serosa. Unexpectedly, immunolabeling of the layer toward the serosa revealed a regular, dense, planar network of cells with prominent dendritic morphology within the external muscular layer and with increasing frequency along the length of the intestine. Direct examination of the serosal-disposed layers showed a significant fraction of the DCs to express DEC-205/CD205, CD11c, Langerin/CD207, Fcgamma receptor/CD16/32, CD14, and low levels of activation markers, CD25, CD80, CD86, and CD95. By more sensitive FACS analyses, cells from this layer contained two CD11c(+) populations of CD45(+) CD205(+), CD19(-) leukocytes, MHC II(+) and MHC II(-). When ovalbumin conjugated to an anti-DEC-205 antibody was injected into mice, the conjugate targeted to these DCs, which upon isolation were able to stimulate ovalbumin-specific, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell antigen receptor-transgenic T cells. In vivo, these DCs responded to two microbial stimuli, systemic LPS and oral live bacteria, by up-regulating CD80, CD86, DEC-205, and Langerin within 12 h. This network of DCs thus represents a previously unrecognized antigen-presenting cell system in the intestine.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells
01:27Histology of the Small Intestine
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
01:26Histology of the Large Intestine
The innermost mucosa layer comprises simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. This layer is primarily populated with absorptive cells, tasked with water absorption, and goblet cells, responsible for secreting mucus to...