Heterogeneity of dendritic cells in rat apical periodontitis.
Dendritic cells are important for the induction of T-lymphocyte-mediated immunity by acting as antigen-presenting cells. We have previously reported that dendritic cells are prevalent in the chronic non-expanding phase of rat apical periodontitis. To characterize these cells further, immunoelectron microscopy with three dendritic cell markers (CD11c, OX6, OX62) was conducted for samples from rat models of apical periodontitis. Dendritic cells were divided into two types (type I or type II). Most of the type I dendritic cells expressed CD11c, showed an irregular large profile, had typical cytoplasmic processes, and were recognized as the major dendritic cell population. Most of the type II dendritic cells expressed OX62, showed oval small profiles with a few thin short processes, and were sometimes observed infiltrating from blood vessels. Cell-to-cell contacts between type I dendritic cells and lymphocytes were the most frequently observed associations. These results suggest that dendritic cells are composed of heterogeneous populations that exhibit different phenotypes, morphologies, and maturation/differentiation/activation.
Kaneko
Tomoatsu
T
Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. tomoendo@tmd.ac.jp
Okiji
Takashi
T
Zhao
Lying
L
Esgeurra
Renelson
R
Suda
Hideaki
H
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002450:Cell Communication; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D048429:Cell Size; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D039521:CD11c Antigen; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; C459465:OX-62 antigen, rat