CD8alpha+ dendritic cells originate from the CD8alpha- dendritic cell subset by a maturation process involving CD8alpha, DEC-205, and CD24 up-regulation.
CD8alpha+ and CD8alpha- dendritic cells (DCs) have been considered as independent DC subpopulations both ontogenetically and functionally during recent years. However, it has been demonstrated that both DC subsets can be generated from a single precursor population, supporting the concept that they do not represent separate DC lineages. By using highly purified splenic CD8alpha- DCs, which were injected intravenously and traced by means of an Ly5.1/Ly5.2 transfer system, this study shows that CD8alpha- DCs acquired the phenotypic characteristics of CD8alpha+ DCs, by a differentiation process involving CD8alpha, DEC-205, and CD24 up-regulation, paralleled by the down-regulation of CD11b, F4/80, and CD4. These data demonstrate that CD8alpha+ DCs derive from CD8alpha- DCs, and strongly support that CD8alpha- and CD8alpha+ DCs represent different maturation or differentiation stages of the same DC population. Therefore, CD8alpha+ DCs would represent the last stage of DC differentiation, playing an essential role in the induction of T-cell responses, due to their antigen-presenting potential, cross-priming ability, and capacity to secrete large amounts of key cytokines such as interferon gamma and interleukin-12.
Martinez del Hoyo
Gloria
G
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Martín
Pilar
P
Arias
Cristina Fernández
CF
Marín
Alvaro Rodríguez
AR
Ardavín
Carlos
C
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism; D051927:CD24 Antigen; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D051927:CD24 Antigen; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; C431698:CD8alpha antigen; C497890:Cd24a protein, mouse; C093569:DEC-205 receptor; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C036763:monocyte-macrophage differentiation antigen