Active MAC-1 (CD11b/CD18) on DCs inhibits full T-cell activation.
The beta2 integrins are important for transendothelial migration of leukocytes as well as for T-cell activation during antigen presentation. Despite abundant expression of beta2 integrins on antigen-presenting cells (APCs), their functional relevance for antigen presentation is completely unclear. We show here that dendritic cells (DCs) from CD18-deficient mice, which lack all functional beta2 integrins, have no defect in antigen presentation. Moreover, DCs from normal mice express inactive beta2 integrins that do not become activated on contact with T cells, at least in vitro. Pharmacologic activation of beta2 integrins on DCs results in a significant reduction of their T cell-activating capacity. This effect is mediated by Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) on DCs because it could be reversed via blocking antibodies against CD18 and CD11b. Furthermore, the antigen-presenting capacity of macrophages, which express constitutively active beta2 integrins, is significantly enhanced on Mac-1 blockade. We therefore conclude that active CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) on APCs directly inhibits T-cell activation.
Varga
Georg
G
Cell Biology, Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Germany.
Balkow
Sandra
S
Wild
Martin K
MK
Stadtbaeumer
Andrea
A
Krummen
Mathias
M
Rothoeft
Tobias
T
Higuchi
Tetsuya
T
Beissert
Stefan
S
Wethmar
Klaus
K
Scharffetter-Kochanek
Karin
K
Vestweber
Dietmar
D
Grabbe
Stephan
S
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000502:physiology*; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen / Q000502:physiology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D039481:CD11b Antigen; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen