title: A subclass of dendritic cells kills CD4 T cells via Fas/Fas-ligand-induced apoptosis.
abstract: Dendritic cells (DC), the most efficient antigen-presenting cells, are well equipped for activation of naive CD4+ T cells by their expression of high levels of major histocompatibility complex and costimulator molecules. We now demonstrate that some DC are equally well equipped for killing these same T cells. Murine splenic DC consist of both conventional CD8alpha- DC and a major population of CD8alpha+ DC. Whereas CD8- DC induce a vigorous proliferative response in CD4 T cells, CD8+ DC induce a lesser response that is associated with marked T cell apoptosis. By using various mixtures of T cells and DC from Fas-mutant lpr/lpr mice and Fas-ligand (FasL) mutant gld/gld mice, we show this death is due to interaction of Fas on activated T cells with FasL on CD8+ DC. Furthermore, we show by direct surface staining that CD8+ DC, but not CD8- DC, express FasL at high levels. These findings indicate that FasL+ CD8+ DC are a specialized subgroup of DC with a role in the regulation of the response of primary peripheral T cells.
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Süss
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shortman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002450:Cell Communication; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016827:CD8 Antigens; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C505658:Fasl protein, mouse; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019014:fas Receptor