Dendritic cell ontogeny: a human dendritic cell lineage of myeloid origin.
Dendritic cells (DC) have been thought to represent a family of closely related cells with similar functions and developmental pathways. The best-characterized precursors are the epidermal Langerhans cells, which migrate to lymphoid organs and become activated DC in response to inflammatory stimuli. Here, we demonstrate that a large subset of DC in the T cell-dependent areas of human lymphoid organs are nonactivated cells and belong to a separate lineage that can be identified by high levels of the interleukin 3 receptor alpha chain (IL-3Ralphahi). The CD34+IL-3Ralphahi DC progenitors are of myeloid origin and are distinct from those that give rise to Langerhans cells in vitro. The IL-3Ralphahi DC furthermore appear to migrate to lymphoid organs independently of inflammatory stimuli or foreign antigens. Thus, DC are heterogeneous with regard to function and ontogeny.
Olweus
J
J
Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems, 2350 Qume Drive, San Jose, CA 95131, USA.
BitMansour
A
A
Warnke
R
R
Thompson
P A
PA
Carballido
J
J
Picker
L J
LJ
Lund-Johansen
F
F
D019070:Cell Lineage; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D016185:Receptors, Interleukin-3 / Q000276:immunology
D007377:Interleukin-3; D016185:Receptors, Interleukin-3