Dermal dendrocytes participate in the cellular pathology of experimental acute graft-versus-host disease.
In a well established murine model relevant to human disease, graft-versus-host disease results from recognition of recipient minor histocompatibility antigens by donor bone marrow-derived T lymphocytes. Previous studies suggest that factor XIIIa-positive dermal dendrocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of disorders involving antigen presentation to T cells and dermal fibrosis. This study was undertaken to determine (i) whether normal murine skin contains factor XIIIa-positive dermal dendrocytes, and (ii) whether such cells participate in the pathophysiology of acute graft-versus-host disease. Graft-versus-host disease was produced using B10.BR CD8+ donor T cells administered to CBA recipients. Skin samples were collected weekly for a 5-week period and evaluated by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Our data indicate that normal murine dermis contains factor XIIIa-positive cells localized primarily around deep dermal microvessels. Ultrastructural analyses reveal these cells to have long processes, pinocytotic vesicles, fibronexuses, and intimate associations with mast cells. During graft-versus-host disease, factor XIIIa-positive dendrocytes appeared within the superficial dermis. By ultrastructure, the dendrocytes were hypertrophic and highly branched, and demonstrated an intimate relationship with neighboring cells. In conclusion, factor XIIIa-positive dendrocytes comprise a normal component of the murine dermis and undergo alterations in experimental acute graft-versus-host disease consistent with participation in disease pathophysiology.
Yoo
Y H
YH
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Pusan, South Korea. yhyoo@daunet.donga.ac.kr
Park
B S
BS
Whitaker-Menezes
D
D
Korngold
R
R
Murphy
G F
GF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004423:Ear / Q000473:pathology; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000032:analysis
D011503:Transglutaminases