title: A dense network of dendritic cells populates the murine epididymis.
abstract: One of the most intriguing aspects of male reproductive physiology is the ability to generate spermatogenic cells - which are 'foreign' to the host - without triggering immune activation. After leaving the testis, spermatozoa enter the epididymis where they mature and are stored. In this study, we report a previously unrecognized dense network of dendritic cells (DCs) located at the base of the epididymal epithelium. This network was detected in transgenic mice expressing CD11c-EYFP and CX3CR1-GFP reporters. Epididymal DCs (eDCs) establish intimate interactions with the epithelium and project long dendrites between epithelial cells toward the lumen. We show that isolated eDCs express numerous leukocyte markers described previously in other organs that are in contact with the external environment, and present and cross-present ovalbumin to T cells in vitro. eDCs are, therefore, strategically positioned to regulate the complex interplay between immune tolerance and activation, a balance that is fundamental to male fertility.
authors.affiliation: Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 8.206, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2790, USA. dasilva.nicolas@mgh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Virna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cortez-Retamozo
authors.forename: Hans-Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Reinecker
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wildgruber
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Filip K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Swirski
authors.forename: Mikael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pittet
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Breton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005298:Fertility; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D039521:CD11c Antigen; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; C054562:yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D010047:Ovalbumin