Cathepsin E in antigen-presenting Langerhans and interdigitating reticulum cells. Its possible role in antigen processing.
A specific rabbit anti-human cathepsin E serum detected this aspartic proteinase in Langerhans cells of the skin, in interdigitating reticulum cells of lymph nodes and spleen and in histiocytosis X cells, but not in macrophages. Immunoblotting of tissue extracts confirmed the presence of cathepsin E in skin and lymph nodes. Electron immunocytochemistry with the protein A gold technique localized cathepsin E in the endoplasmic reticulum and in endosomal vesicles of both interdigitating and Langerhans cells, likely involving Birbeck bodies. A role of endosomal cathepsin E in antigen processing is suggested.
Solcia
E
E
Dipartimento di Patologia Umana ed Ereditaria, I Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pavia ed I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
Paulli
M
M
Silini
E
E
Fiocca
R
R
Finzi
G
G
Kindl
S
S
Boveri
E
E
Bosi
F
F
Cornaggia
M
M
Capella
C
C
D020059:Cathepsin E; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
D002403:Cathepsins; D020059:Cathepsin E