Human liver myeloid dendritic cells maturate in vivo into effector DC with a poor allogeneic T-cell stimulatory capacity.
We hypothesized that the relatively low immunogenicity of liver grafts might be related to a special maturation program of hepatic myeloid dendritic cells (MDC), yielding relatively immature effector MDC with weak allogeneic T-cell stimulatory capacity. To investigate whether maturation of human liver-derived MDC in vivo differs from maturation of MDC at another anatomical location, we compared the immunophenotypes and allogeneic T-cell stimulatory capacity of MDC from hepatic with those from inguinal lymph nodes (LN). MDC were purified by immunomagnetic selection from hepatic LN obtained from multi-organ donors (n = 8) and from inguinal LN of kidney transplant recipients (n = 7). MDC from hepatic LN had a significantly reduced capacity to stimulate allogeneic T-cell proliferation compared to MDC from inguinal LN. However, this was not due to an immaturity, since MDC from hepatic LN had significantly higher expressions of HLA-DR, CD80, and CD86 compared to MDC from inguinal LN. Hepatic MDC maturate in vivo to a mature type of effector MDC with relatively poor allogeneic T-cell stimulatory capacity.
Kwekkeboom
J
J
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.kwekkeboom@erasmusmc.nl
Boor
P P C
PP
Sen
E
E
Kusters
J G
JG
Drexhage
H A
HA
de Jong
E C
EC
Tilanus
H W
HW
Ijzermans
J N M
JN
Metselaar
H J
HJ
D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007519:Isoantigens