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Updated: May 5, 2026
An Efficient and High Yield Method for Isolation of Mouse Dendritic Cell Subsets
Published on: April 18, 2016
Investigation into the prevalence of a novel dendritic-like cell subset in vivo
Kristin Lisa Griffiths1, Jonathan Kah Huat Tan, Helen Christine O'Neill
1Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia.
Insights
A novel dendritic-like cell (L-DC) subset was discovered in mouse spleen and blood. These cells possess high endocytic capacity and cross-present antigens to CD8(+) T cells, indicating a unique immune function.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- A novel dendritic-like cell (L-DC) subset was identified in murine spleen.
- L-DCs are derived from long-term culture of neonatal spleen cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the unique properties and distribution of L-DCs.
- To investigate the functional distinctiveness of L-DCs compared to other myeloid and dendritic cell subsets.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell surface markers.
- Assessment of endocytic capacity.
- Evaluation of antigen cross-presentation to CD8(+) T cells.
- Comparative studies in wild-type and mutant mouse strains.
Main Results:
- L-DCs exhibit high endocytic capacity and cross-present antigens to CD8(+) T cells.
- This subset is primarily found in spleen and blood, with a similar population in bone marrow.
- L-DCs represent a low percentage (~6% in spleen, ~5% in blood) of myeloid and dendritic cells.
- Mutant mouse strains with altered myelopoiesis either lacked L-DCs or showed an altered phenotype.
Conclusions:
- L-DCs represent a distinct cell type with unique immune functions.
- Their presence is restricted to spleen and blood, suggesting specific roles in peripheral immunity.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the functional implications of L-DCs in immune responses.
Abstract:
A novel dendritic-like cell subset termed L-DC was recently identified in murine spleen based on marker expression of a homogeneous cell population derived from long-term culture of neonatal spleen. The function of L-DC is distinct from other splenic dendritic and myeloid cell subsets because of their high endocytic capacity and their ability to cross-present antigen to CD8(+) T cells. This paper shows the subset to be unique to spleen and blood, with a similar, but possibly functionally distinct subset also present in bone marrow. The prevalence of the subset is low; ~6% of all dendritic and myeloid cells in the spleen and ~5% in blood. However, they are a distinct cell type on the basis of marker expression, and endocytic and T-cell stimulatory capacity. Attempts to identify an enriched population of these cells in mutant mouse strains with reported increases in myelopoiesis showed either a lack of L-DC or an altered phenotype reflective of the phenotype of the mouse strain.
