Langerhans cells and lymph node dendritic cells express the tight junction component claudin-1.
Claudin-1 is a critical structural component of tight junctions that have an important role in adhesive properties, barrier function, and paracellular transport of epithelia and other nonhematopoietic tissues. We found claudin-1 in murine CD207+ Langerhans cells (LC) residing in epidermis. Claudin-1 was not detected in other skin dendritic cells (DC). LC expressed claudin-1 in steady state and inflamed skin. Claudin-1 was demonstrated further in lymph node LC under steady state and inflammatory conditions, including after direct tracking with tetramethylrhodamine-isothiocyanate (TRITC). All subsets of skin draining lymph node DC defined by CD205, CD11b, CD11c, and CD8, including a presumably blood-borne lymph node resident CD8+CD207+ LC population, were claudin-1+. TRITC tracking demonstrated claudin-1 in CD207- skin migrant DC in the lymph node, suggesting upregulation of this molecule during migration or once arrived in the lymph node. Claudin-1 expression in CD207+ cells was confirmed at the protein and mRNA levels. Transforming growth factor-beta, a factor critical for the induction of LC in vitro and in vivo, stimulated the accumulation of claudin-1 mRNA and protein when added to bone marrow cells cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4. Claudin-1 may thus have an important function in adhesion and/or migration of LC.
Zimmerli
Simone C
SC
Allergy Unit, Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals and Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland. Simone.Zimmerli@hcuge.ch
Hauser
Conrad
C
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D062445:Claudin-1; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000502:physiology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D062445:Claudin-1; C568113:Cldn1 protein, mouse; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015847:Interleukin-4; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor