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Published on: July 9, 2008
Human and murine dermis contain dendritic cells. Isolation by means of a novel method and phenotypical and functional
Insights
Dermal dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells, comparable to epidermal Langerhans cells. These skin immune cells initiate T cell responses and are found in nonlymphoid organs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DC) are crucial for initiating T cell responses.
- Langerhans cells in the epidermis are a model for skin DC studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize the phenotype and function of dermal dendritic cells (DC) in human skin.
- Identify DC in non-epidermal, nonlymphoid organs.
Main Methods:
- Enriched populations of dermal DC were prepared from organ explants.
- Phenotypic analysis included surface marker expression (MHC, CD markers, adhesion molecules).
- Functional assessment involved T cell stimulatory capacity.
Main Results:
- Dermal DC exhibit mature DC features: motile veils, high MHC, lack of myeloid/lymphoid markers, express costimulatory molecules (CD11/CD18, CD54, B7/BB1, CD40).
- Dermal DC effectively stimulate resting T cells.
- Dermal DC differ from epidermal DC: lack Birbeck granules, lower CD1a, higher CD36.
- Comparable DC found in mouse dermis.
Conclusions:
- Cutaneous immune system includes both epidermal and dermal dendritic cells.
- Dermal DC are potent immunostimulatory cells, similar to epidermal DC.
- Other human nonlymphoid tissues may harbor immunostimulatory DC.
Abstract:
Dendritic cells (DC) comprise a system of cells in lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs that are specialized to present antigens and to initiate primary T cell responses. The Langerhans cell of the epidermis is used as a prototype for studies of DC in the skin. We have characterized a population of DC in human dermis, one of the first examples of these cells in nonlymphoid organs other than epidermis. To identify their distinct functions and phenotype, we relied upon the preparation of enriched populations that emigrate from organ explants of dermis. The dermal cells have the following key features of mature DC: (a) sheet-like processes, or veils, that are constantly moving; (b) very high levels of surface MHC products; (c) absence of markers for macrophages, lymphocytes, and endothelium; (d) substantial expression of adhesion/costimulatory molecules such as CD11/CD18, CD54 (ICAM-1), B7/BB1, CD40; and (e) powerful stimulatory function for resting T cells. Dermal DC are fully comparable to epidermis-derived DC, except for the lack of Birbeck granules, lower levels of CD1a, and higher levels of CD36. DC were also detected in explants of mouse dermis. We conclude that cutaneous DC include both epidermal and dermal components, and suggest that other human nonlymphoid tissues may also serve as sources of typical immunostimulatory DC.
