Prostaglandin E2-EP4 signaling initiates skin immune responses by promoting migration and maturation of Langerhans cells.
Antigen-specific immune responses in the skin are initiated by antigen uptake into Langerhans cells and the subsequent migration of these cells to draining lymph nodes. Although prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is produced substantially in skin exposed to antigen, its role remains unclear. Here we show that although Langerhans cells express all four PGE receptor subtypes, their migration to regional lymph nodes was decreased only in EP4-deficient (Ptger4-/-) mice and in wild-type mice treated with an EP4 antagonist. An EP4 agonist promoted the migration of Langerhans cells, increased their expression of costimulatory molecules and enhanced their ability to stimulate T cells in the mixed lymphocyte reaction in vitro. Contact hypersensitivity to antigen was impaired in Ptger4-/- mice and in wild-type mice treated with the EP4 antagonist during sensitization. PGE2-EP4 signaling thus facilitates initiation of skin immune responses by promoting the migration and maturation of Langerhans cells.
Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
Kenji
K
Kabashima
Daiji
D
Sakata
Miyako
M
Nagamachi
Yoshiki
Y
Miyachi
Kayo
K
Inaba
Shuh
S
Narumiya
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004423:Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058309:Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D020033:Protein Isoforms; C545651:Ptger4 protein, mouse; D018078:Receptors, Prostaglandin E; D058309:Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype; D015232:Dinoprostone