CD4 T cell-induced, bid-dependent apoptosis of cutaneous dendritic cells regulates T cell expansion and immune responses.
The fate of dendritic cells (DCs) after Ag presentation may be DC subset-specific and controlled by many factors. The role of activation-induced apoptosis in regulating DC function is not clear. We investigated the fate of cutaneous DCs (cDCs), specifically Langerhans cells (LCs), and observed that they undergo apoptosis after successful Ag presentation to CD4 T cells. Caspase-specific inhibitors revealed that LC lines use a type II apoptosis pathway in response to CD4 T cells. In support of this, BH3-interacting domain (Bid) protein was present at high levels and specifically cleaved in the presence of Ag-specific T cells. Significant resistance to apoptosis by OT-2 CD4 cells was also observed for Bid knockout (KO) LCs in vitro. To test whether Bid was required to regulate LC function in vivo, we measured contact sensitization and topical immunization responses in Bid KO mice and observed markedly enhanced ear swelling and proliferation responses compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, when Ag-pulsed Bid KO migratory cDCs were inoculated into wild-type recipients, an increase in both the rate and percentage of expanded OT-2 T cells expressing IFN-gamma was observed. Thus, enhanced Ag presentation function was intrinsic to Bid KO cDCs. Therefore, Bid is an important regulator of LC viability and Ag presentation function.
Pradhan
Sanjay
S
Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Boulevard, VH 509 Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Genebriera
Joseph
J
Denning
Warren L
WL
Felix
Kumar
K
Elmets
Craig A
CA
Timares
Laura
L
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000235:genetics; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D051023:BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D002460:Cell Line; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D051023:BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors