Dendritic cell identification in head and neck lymphoid tissue. Newly recognized cells control T-lymphocyte functions.
The physiologic measurements of a subpopulation of mononuclear cells derived from head and neck lymphoid tissues are similar to those of dendritic cells are described. Dendritic cells are a subpopulation of bone marrow-derived leukocytes that were originally identified in rodents and now described in man as having central control of T-lymphocyte functions. We describe a technique for the enrichment of dendritic cells obtained from tonsils utilizing a bovine serum albumin (BSA) gradient and note that they have the light and electron microscopic appearance of dendritic cells. The measured oxidative mitogenic response and interferon-gamma production in complete leukocyte cultures was compared with BSA gradient-separated preparations. The denser cells, comprised mostly of normal appearing lymphocytes, would not undergo a mitogenic response nor produce normal amounts of interferon when stimulated unless the dendritic cell-rich, less-dense fraction, was added back. The dendritic cells derived from tonsils seem to behave as a potent accessory cell for these T-lymphocyte-associated functions.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D005692:Galactose Oxidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D010504:Periodic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D003470:Culture Media; D008222:Lymphokines; D010504:Periodic Acid; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C009288:metaperiodate; D005692:Galactose Oxidase