Characterization of colonic dendritic cells in normal and colitic mice.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies demonstrating the direct involvement of dendritic cells (DC) in the activation of pathogenic T cells in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease identify DC as important antigen presenting cells in the colon. However, very little is known about the properties of colonic DC.


METHODS
Using immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and flow cytometry we have characterized and compared colonic DC in the colon of healthy animals and interleukin-2-deficient (IL2(-/-)) mice that develop colitis.


RESULTS
In the healthy colon, DC resided within the lamina propria and in close association with the basement membrane of colonic villi. Type 1 myeloid (CD11c(+), CD11b(+), B220(-), CD8alpha(-)) DC made up the largest (40-45%) population and all DC expressed low levels of CD80, CD86, and CD40, and had high endocytic activity consistent with an immature phenotype. In colitic IL2(-/-) mice, colonic DC numbers increased four- to five-fold and were localized within the epithelial layer and within aggregates of T and B cells. They were also many more DC in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). The majority (>85%) of DC in the colon and MLN of IL2(-/-) mice were type 1 myeloid, and expressed high levels of MHC class II, CD80, CD86, CD40, DEC 205, and CCR5 molecules and were of low endocytic activity consistent with mature DC.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate striking changes in the number, distribution and phenotype of DC in the inflamed colon. Their intimate association with lymphocytes in the colon and draining lymph nodes suggest that they may contribute directly to the ongoing inflammation in the colon.
Cruickshank
Sheena M
SM
Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
English
Nicholas R
NR
Felsburg
Peter J
PJ
Carding
Simon R
SR
D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D007376:Interleukin-2