A subset of human cord blood mononuclear cells is similar to Langerhans cells of the skin: a study with peanut agglutinin and monoclonal antibodies.
Mononuclear cells were fractionated from human cord blood by affinity chromatography on immobilized peanut agglutinin, as previously described (Rosenberg et al., Hum Immunol 7:67, 1983). The PNA+ subset was found to be composed mainly of a population of cells phenotyped as Ia+, T6+, M01+, and MY4+. The presence of mononuclear cells coexpressing these antigens was demonstrated by three techniques: double labeling immunofluorescence using FITC and rhodamine conjugated goat antimouse IgG; fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS); and by direct counting (under the microscope) of cells stained by either individual or a combination of a variety of monoclonal antibodies. The PNA+ cells expressed cytoplasmic structures similar to Birbeck granules. In view of the fact that Langerhans cells of the skin share a similar phenotype and express Birbeck granules, we suggest that this subset may be the precursor of the Langerhans cells of the skin. In addition, these cells may also be the precursors of the dendritic cells found in the spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, and liver.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D010367:Arachis; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D037102:Lectins; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009000:Monocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011247:Pregnancy; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000032:analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D037102:Lectins; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; C038223:peanut agglutinin receptor