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.
Hunger
Robert E
RE
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Sieling
Peter A
PA
Ochoa
Maria Teresa
MT
Sugaya
Makoto
M
Burdick
Anne E
AE
Rea
Thomas H
TH
Brennan
Patrick J
PJ
Belisle
John T
JT
Blauvelt
Andrew
A
Porcelli
Steven A
SA
Modlin
Robert L
RL
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