Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting for Purification of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells from the Mouse Bone Marrow
Published on: November 4, 2016
Immunohistochemical discrimination of plasmacytoid dendritic cells from myeloid dendritic cells in human pathological
Yuriko Nishikawa1, Hiaki Sato, Takashi Oka
1Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University.
Insights
New immunohistochemical methods distinguish mature plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) from myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) using S100B and fascin markers. This advance aids in analyzing DC subsets in various skin and lymph node conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Differentiating mature plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) from myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) immunohistochemically has been challenging.
- Dendritic cells play crucial roles in immune responses, and their subsets have distinct functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable immunohistochemical method for distinguishing mature pDCs from mDCs in routine pathological sections.
- To investigate the distribution of these DC subsets in various inflammatory skin conditions and lymph nodes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized immunohistochemistry to detect S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) and fascin expression in dendritic cell subsets.
- Analyzed S100B and fascin expression in monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs), epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs), dermal DCs in psoriasis and nonspecific inflammation, and DCs in superficial and deep lymph nodes.
Main Results:
- Immature and mature MoDCs were S100B+, while pDCs were S100B-.
- Both mature MoDCs and pDCs expressed fascin.
- Epidermal LCs were S100B+/fascin+.
- Dermal DCs in psoriasis were predominantly S100B-/fascin+, suggesting a role for pDCs.
- Superficial lymph nodes showed accumulation of S100B+/fascin+ DCs, while deep lymph nodes had more S100B-/fascin+ DCs.
Conclusions:
- S100B and fascin expression reliably distinguish mature pDCs (S100B-/fascin+) from mDCs (S100B+/fascin+) in pathological tissues.
- The differential distribution of these DC subsets in skin and lymph nodes correlates with specific disease conditions, such as psoriasis and Kikuchi's lymphadenitis.
- This immunohistochemical approach provides a valuable tool for studying DC subset roles in immunity and disease.
Abstract:
Until now, no method has been available to discriminate mature plasmacytoid DC (pDC) from myeloid DC (mDC) immunohistochemically. In this study, we report that these DC-subsets can be distinguished in routine pathological sections. Immature and mature monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) were S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B)+, while pDCs generated from pDC-precursors were S100B-. In contrast, both mature MoDC and pDC were fascin+. Epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) were S100B+/fascin-. Although the majority of DCs were S100B+/fascin+ in the dermis with nonspecific inflammation, dermal DCs were mostly S100B-/fascin+ in psoriasis vulgaris, in which type I interferon secreted by pDC-precursors is thought to play a major role. S100B+/fascin+ DCs were accumulated in the superficial lymph node (LN), while they were scarce in the deep LN. In the superficial LN with dermatopathic lymphadenitis, a large number of S100B+/fascin+ DCs were accumulated in the T-zones, where numerous LC-derived DCs are accumulated. In contrast, almost all DCs were S100B-/fascin+ in the superficial LN with Kikuchi's lymphadenitis, in which numerous pDC-precursors are known to be present. In contrast to the superficial LN, the deep LN contained numerous S100B-/fascin+ DCs and a few S100B+ DCs. Thus, the distributions of S100B+ DC or S100B-/fascin+ DC correspond to the putative distribution of mDC or mature pDC, respectively.
