Genetic tagging shows increased frequency and longevity of antigen-presenting, skin-derived dendritic cells in vivo.
Dendritic cells (DCs) are key regulators of immune responses that activate naive antigen-specific T lymphocytes. In draining lymph nodes, antigen-bearing DCs are reported to be rare and short-lived. How such small numbers of short-lived DCs can activate rare antigen-specific T cells is unclear. Here we show that after immunization of mouse skins by gene gun, the number of antigen-bearing DCs that migrate to draining lymph node is 100-fold higher than previously estimated and that they persist for approximately 2 weeks. The substantial frequency and longevity of DCs in situ ensures ample antigen presentation and stimulation for the rare antigen-specific T cells in draining lymph nodes.
Garg
Sanjay
S
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vaccine Research Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Oran
Alp
A
Wajchman
Janine
J
Sasaki
Shin
S
Maris
Charles H
CH
Kapp
Judith A
JA
Jacob
Joshy
J
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D019470:Biolistics; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods; D007700:Kinetics; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010641:Phenotype; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D039521:CD11c Antigen; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; C044582:immediate-early proteins, cytomegalovirus