title: Visualization and characterization of migratory Langerhans cells in murine skin and lymph nodes by antibodies against Langerin/CD207.
abstract: Dendritic cells are professional antigen-presenting cells that initiate primary immunity. Migration from sites of antigen uptake to lymphoid organs is crucial for the generation of immune responses. We investigated the migratory pathways specifically of epidermal Langerhans cells by tracing them from the epidermis to the draining lymph nodes. This was possible with a new monoclonal antibody, directed against murine Langerin/CD207, a type II lectin specific for Langerhans cells. In situ, resident, and activated Langerhans cells express Langerin in the epidermis and on their way through dermal lymphatic vessels. Both emigrated and trypsinization-derived Langerhans cells expressed high levels of Langerin intracellularly but reduced it upon prolonged culture periods. Sizeable numbers of Langerin+ cells were found in skin draining lymph nodes but not in mesenteric nodes. Langerin+ cells localized to the T cells areas and rarely to B cell zones. Numbers of Langerin-expressing cells increased after application of a contact sensitizer. In the steady state, Langerhans cells in the skin-draining nodes expressed maturation markers, such as 2A1 and costimulatory molecules CD86 and CD40. These molecules, CD86 and CD40, were further upregulated upon inflammatory stimuli such as contact sensitization. Thus, the novel anti-Langerin monoclonal antibody permits the unequivocal visualization of migratory Langerhans cells in the lymph nodes for the first time and thereby allows to dissect the relative immunogenic or tolerogenic contributions of Langerhans cells and other types of dendritic cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. patrizia.stoitzner@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stoitzner
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holzmann
authors.forename: Alexander D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: McLellan
authors.forename: Lennart
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ivarsson
authors.forename: Hella
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stössel
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kapp
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kämmerer
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Douillard
authors.forename: Eckhart
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kämpgen
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Sem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saeland
authors.forename: Nikolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Romani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology*; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C498497:Cd207 protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins