Langerhans cells acquire a CD8+ dendritic cell phenotype on maturation by CD40 ligation.
Dendritic cell (DC) reconstitution experiments and phenotypic analysis of DC subpopulations have allowed the definition in the mouse of two main DC categories: CD8+ lymphoid DCs and CD8- myeloid DCs. With regard to Langerhans cells (LCs), which represent immature DCs differentiating into mature DCs on migration to the lymph nodes after an antigenic stimulation, although classically considered as myeloid DCs, there is no experimental evidence of their origin. It has been recently shown that mouse LCs, negative for CD8 and LFA-1, undergo CD8/LFA-1 up-regulation on migration, suggesting that LCs belong to the CD8+ lymphoid DC lineage. To further reinforce this hypothesis, we have analyzed the modulation of CD8 expression by LCs on culture with molecules known to induce LC maturation. Our results show that LC acquired a CD8+ lymphoid phenotype on CD40 ligation.
Anjuère
F
F
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
Martínez del Hoyo
G
G
Martín
P
P
Ardavín
C
C
D000818:Animals; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology*; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011485:Protein Binding; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D019013:CD40 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D023201:CD40 Ligand