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Published on: April 8, 2016
Immunomorphologic characterization of Fc epsilon RI-bearing cells within the human dermis
B Osterhoff1, K Rappersberger, B Wang
1Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
Insights
Dermal cells expressing the high-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RI) are primarily Langerhans cells/dendritic cells and mast cells, not dermal macrophages. This research clarifies the cellular composition of Fc epsilon RI-expressing cells in the skin.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The high-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RI) is constitutively expressed on normal epidermal Langerhans cells (LC).
- Its expression on dermal cells is less understood, prompting investigation into their identity and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the dermal Fc epsilon RI-expressing cells.
- To determine their lineage and relationship to other immune cells in the skin.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence double-labeling using anti-Fc epsilon RI and monoclonal antibodies against leukocyte differentiation antigens (CD45, HLA-DR, RFD1, CD1a).
- Avidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used to identify mast cells.
- Immunoelectronmicroscopy was employed to examine cellular ultrastructure.
Main Results:
- Dermal Fc epsilon RI+ cells are bone marrow-derived (CD45+).
- A majority coexpressed HLA-DR and RFD1 (interdigitating cell antigen), with a subset expressing CD1a (LC/dendritic cell family).
- Approximately one-third were mast cells; Fc epsilon RI was absent on dermal dendrocytes (FXIIIa+) and lymphocytes (CD3+).
Conclusions:
- The dermal Fc epsilon RI+ cell pool comprises mainly Langerhans cells/dendritic cells and mast cells.
- These findings exclude FXIIIa+ dermal macrophages and CD3+ lymphocytes from this Fc epsilon RI-expressing dermal cell population.
Abstract:
Recently we reported that the high-affinity receptor for IgE, Fc epsilon RI, is constitutively expressed on normal epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) and on certain cells within the dermis. To study the nature of these cells we performed immunofluorescence double-labeling experiments using an anti-Fc epsilon RI reagent (MoAb 15-1) as well as monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) against leukocyte differentiation antigens expressed on LC, interdigitating cells and macrophages. Avidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate was used to distinguish mast cells. We found that dermal Fc epsilon RI+ cells are bone marrow derived (CD45+). Further, we found that a subset of 15-1+ dermal cells coexpresses antigens present on certain members of the LC/DC family: the majority of Fc epsilon RI+ cells reacted with MoAb anti-HLA-DR and RFD1, the latter recognizes an antigenic moiety on interdigitating cells, and a small subpopulation coexpressed CD1a. In reverse fashion, virtually all CD1a+ cells and most RFD1+ cells reacted with the anti-Fc epsilon RI reagent. Approximately one third of 15-1+ cells represented avidin-FITC+ mast cells whereas Fc epsilon RI expression was not detected on FXIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes or CD3+ lymphocytes. By immunoelectronmicroscopy, we found that perivascularly located 15-1-reactive cells exhibited pronounced dendrites, an indented nucleus, numerous mitochondria, and abundant endo-/lysosomal structures. However, Birbeck granules or granules specific for basophils or eosinophils were never detected in these cells. Collectively, our data suggest that the pool of dermal Fc epsilon RI+ cells consists mainly of cells of the LC (CD1a+)/DC(RFD1+) lineage and mast cells but does not include FXIIIa+ dermal macrophages.
