Langerhans cells utilize CD1a and langerin to efficiently present nonpeptide antigens to T cells.
Langerhans cells (LCs) constitute a subset of DCs that initiate immune responses in skin. Using leprosy as a model, we investigated whether expression of CD1a and langerin, an LC-specific C-type lectin, imparts a specific functional role to LCs. LC-like DCs and freshly isolated epidermal LCs presented nonpeptide antigens of Mycobacterium leprae to T cell clones derived from a leprosy patient in a CD1a-restricted and langerin-dependent manner. LC-like DCs were more efficient at CD1a-restricted antigen presentation than monocyte-derived DCs. LCs in leprosy lesions coexpress CD1a and langerin, placing LCs in position to efficiently present a subset of antigens to T cells as part of the host response to human infectious disease.
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Robert E
RE
Hunger
Peter A
PA
Sieling
Maria Teresa
MT
Ochoa
Makoto
M
Sugaya
Anne E
AE
Burdick
Thomas H
TH
Rea
Patrick J
PJ
Brennan
John T
JT
Belisle
Andrew
A
Blauvelt
Steven A
SA
Porcelli
Robert L
RL
Modlin
D017951:Antigen Presentation; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011946:Receptors, Antigen / Q000737:chemistry; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C419393:CD1a antigen; C121916:CD207 protein, human; D037102:Lectins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D011946:Receptors, Antigen