Marginal Zone Dendritic Cells Research Articles

Extracorporeal Photopheresis Suppresses Transplant Fibrosis by Inducing Decorin Expression in Alveolar Macrophages.

Extracorporeal Photopheresis Suppresses Transplant Fibrosis by Inducing Decorin Expression in Alveolar Macrophages.

AIRE expressing marginal zone dendritic cells balances adaptive immunity and T-follicular helper cell recruitment

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome Type I (APS I) results in multiple endocrine organ destruction and is caused by mutations in the Autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE). In the thymic stroma, cells expressing the AIRE gene dictate T cell education and central tolerance. Although this function is the most studied, AIRE is also expressed in the periphery in DCs and stromal cells. Still, how AIRE regulated transcription modifies cell behaviour in the periphery is largely unknown. Here we show that AIRE is specifically expressed by 33D1+ DCs and dictates the fate of antibody secreting cell movement within the spleen. We also found that AIRE expressing 33D1+ DCs expresses self-antigens as exemplified by the hallmark gene insulin. Also, as evidence for a regulatory function, absence of Aire in 33D1+ DCs led to reduced levels of the chemokine CXCL12 and increased co-stimulatory properties. This resulted in altered activation and recruitment of T-follicular helper cells and germinal centre B cells. The altered balance leads to a change of the early response to a T cell-dependent antigen in Aire−/− mice. These findings add to the understanding of how specific DC subtypes regulate the early responses during T cell-dependent antibody responses within the spleen and further define the role of AIRE in the periphery as regulator of self-antigen expression and lymphocyte migration.

Extrafollicular B cell activation by marginal zone dendritic cells drives T cell–dependent antibody responses

Dendritic cells (DCs) are best known for their ability to activate naive T cells, and emerging evidence suggests that distinct DC subsets induce specialized T cell responses. However, little is known concerning the role of DC subsets in the initiation of B cell responses. We report that antigen (Ag) delivery to DC-inhibitory receptor 2 (DCIR2) found on marginal zone (MZ)-associated CD8α(-) DCs in mice leads to robust class-switched antibody (Ab) responses to a T cell-dependent (TD) Ag. DCIR2(+) DCs induced rapid up-regulation of multiple B cell activation markers and changes in chemokine receptor expression, resulting in accumulation of Ag-specific B cells within extrafollicular splenic bridging channels as early as 24 h after immunization. Ag-specific B cells primed by DCIR2(+) DCs were remarkably efficient at driving naive CD4 T cell proliferation, yet DCIR2-induced responses failed to form germinal centers or undergo affinity maturation of serum Ab unless toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 or TLR9 agonists were included at the time of immunization. These results demonstrate DCIR2(+) DCs have a unique capacity to initiate extrafollicular B cell responses to TD Ag, and thus define a novel division of labor among splenic DC subsets for B cell activation during humoral immune responses.

Activated Apoptotic Cells Induce Dendritic Cell Maturation via Engagement of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4), Dendritic Cell-specific Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 3 (ICAM-3)-grabbing Nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), and β2 Integrins

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells playing a central role in connecting innate and adaptive immunity. Maturation signals are, however, required for DCs to undergo phenotypic and functional changes to acquire a fully competent antigen-presenting capacity. We previously reported that activated apoptotic peripheral lymphocytes (ActApo) provide activation/maturation signals to human monocyte-derived DCs. In this paper, we have characterized the signaling pathways and molecules involved in ActApo-mediated DC maturation. We found that both cellular and supernatant fractions from ActApo are required for DC maturation signaling. ActApoSup-induced CD80 and CD86 expression was significantly blocked in the presence of neutralizing antibodies against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Cell-cell contact-dependent signaling involved β2 integrins, dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), and TLR4 because ActApo-induced up-regulation of the maturation markers CD80 and CD86 was significantly inhibited in the presence of neutralizing antibodies against CD18, CD11a, CD11b, and DC-SIGN as well as TLR4. The role of TLR4 was further confirmed by silencing of TLR4 in DCs. In addition, the endogenous adjuvant effect exerted by activated apoptotic splenocytes (ActApoSp) was reduced after immunization with human serum albumin in TLR4(-/-) mice. We detected activation of multiple signaling pathways and transcription factors in DCs upon co-culture with ActApo, including p38, JNK, PI3K-Akt, Src family kinases, NFκB p65, and AP1 transcription factor family members c-Jun and c-Fos, demonstrating the complex interactions occurring between ActApo and DCs. These studies provide important mechanistic insight into the responses of DCs during encounter with cells undergoing immunogenic cell death.

Antibody to Langerin/CD207 localizes large numbers of CD8α + dendritic cells to the marginal zone of mouse spleen

Dendritic cells (DCs) are strategically positioned to take up antigens and initiate adaptive immunity. One DC subset expresses CD8alphaalpha in mice and is specialized to capture dying cells and process antigens for MHC class I "cross-presentation." Because CD8(+) DCs also express DEC205/CD205, which is localized to splenic T cell regions, it is thought that CD8(+) DCs also are restricted to T zones. Here, we used a new antibody to Langerin/CD207, which colabels isolated CD8(+) CD205(+) DCs, to immunolabel spleen sections. The mAb labeled discrete cells with high levels of CD11c and CD8. Surprisingly most CD207(+) profiles were in marginal zones surrounding splenic white pulp nodules, and only smaller numbers were in T cell areas, where CD205 colabeling was noted. Despite a marginal zone location, CD207(+) DCs lacked identifying molecules for 3 different types of macrophages, localized in proximity and, in contrast to macrophages, marginal zone DCs were poor scavengers of soluble and particulate substrates. After stimulation with microbial agonists, Langerin expression disappeared from the marginal zone at 6-12 h, but was greatly expanded in the T cell areas, and by 24-48 h, Langerin expression disappeared. Therefore, anti-Langerin antibodies localize a majority of CD8(+) DCs to non-T cell regions of mouse spleen, where they are distinct from adjacent macrophages.

Deficit of CD47 Results in a Defect of Marginal Zone Dendritic Cells, Blunted Immune Response to Particulate Antigen and Impairment of Skin Dendritic Cell Migration

CD47 is a ubiquitously expressed cell surface glycoprotein that associates with integrins and regulates chemotaxis, migration, and activation of leukocytes. CD47 is also a ligand for signal regulatory protein alpha, a cell surface receptor expressed on monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, and dendritic cell (DC) subsets that regulates cell activation, adhesion, and migration. Although the function of CD47 in macrophages and granulocytes has been studied in detail, little is known about the role of CD47 in DC biology in vivo. In this study we demonstrate that CD47(-/-) mice exhibit a selective reduction of splenic CD11c(high)CD11b(high)CD8alpha(-)CD4(+) DCs. These DCs correspond to marginal zone DCs and express signal regulatory protein alpha, possibly explaining their selective deficiency in CD47(-/-) mice. Deficiency of marginal zone DCs resulted in impairment of IgG responses to corpusculate T cell-independent Ags. Although epidermal DCs were present in normal numbers in CD47(-/-) mice, their migration to draining lymph nodes in response to contact sensitization was impaired, while their maturation was intact. In vitro, CD47(-/-) mature DCs showed normal CCR7 expression but impaired migration to CCL-19, whereas immature DC response to CCL-5 was only slightly impaired. These results demonstrate a fundamental role of CD47 in DC migration in vivo and in vitro and in the function of marginal zone DCs.

Splenic Marginal Zone Dendritic Cells Mediate the Cholera Toxin Adjuvant Effect: Dependence on the ADP-Ribosyltransferase Activity of the Holotoxin

The in vivo mechanisms of action of most vaccine adjuvants are poorly understood. In this study, we present data in mice that reveal a series of critical interactions between the cholera toxin (CT) adjuvant and the dendritic cells (DC) of the splenic marginal zone (MZ) that lead to effective priming of an immune response. For the first time, we have followed adjuvant targeting of MZ DC in vivo. We used CT-conjugated OVA and found that the Ag selectively accumulated in MZ DC following i.v. injections. The uptake of Ag into DC was GM1 ganglioside receptor dependent and mediated by the B subunit of CT (CTB). The targeted MZ DC were quite unique in their phenotype: CD11c(+), CD8alpha(-), CD11b(-), B220(-), and expressing intermediate or low levels of MHC class II and DEC205. Whereas CTB only delivered the Ag to MZ DC, the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of CT was required for the maturation and migration of DC to the T cell zone, where these cells distinctly up-regulated CD86, but not CD80. This interaction appeared to instruct Ag-specific CD4(+) T cells to move into the B cell follicle and strongly support germinal center formations. These events may explain why CT-conjugated Ag is substantially more immunogenic than Ag admixed with soluble CT and why CTB-conjugated Ag can tolerize immune responses when given orally or at other mucosal sites.

Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells: A Promising Armament for Immunotherapy in Human Malignancies

Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells: A Promising Armament for Immunotherapy in Human Malignancies

ADP‐Ribosylating Bacterial Enzymes for the Targeted Control of Mucosal Tolerance and Immunity

The questions of whether mucosal tolerance and IgA immunity are mutually exclusive or can coexist and whether they represent priming of the local immune system through the same or different activation pathways are addressed. Two strategies were attempted: the first using cholera toxin (CT) or the enzymatically inactive receptor-binding B subunit of CT (CTB), and the second using CTA1-DD or an enzymatically inactive mutant thereof, CTA1R7K-DD. The CTA1-DD adjuvant is a fusion protein composed of the ADP-ribosylating part of CT, CTA1, and DD, which is derived from Staphylococcus areus protein A and targets the molecule to B cells. Here, we provide compelling evidence that delivery of antigen in the absence of ADP ribosylation can promote tolerance, whereas ADP-ribosyltransferase activity induces IgA immunity and prevents tolerance. By linking antigen to the ADP-ribosylating enzymes we could show that CT, although potentially binding to all nucleated cells, in fact, bound preferentially to dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo. On the other hand, DD-bound antigen was distinctly targeted to B cells and probably also to follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in vivo. Interestingly, the CT and CTA1-DD adjuvants gave equally enhancing effects on mucosal and systemic responses, but appeared to target different APCs in vivo. CT- or CTB-conjugated antigen accumulated in mucosal and systemic DCs. Whereas only CT promoted an active IgA response, CTB induced tolerance to the conjugated antigen. Following intravenous injection of CT-conjugated antigen, DCs in the marginal zone (MZ) of the spleen were selectively targeted. Interestingly, CTB delivered antigen to the same MZ DCs, but failed to induce maturation and upregulation of costimulatory molecules in these cells. Thus, ADP-ribosylation was necessary for a strong enhancing effect of immune responses following CT/CTB-dependent delivery of antigen to the MZ DCs. Moreover, using CTA1-DD, antigen was targeted to the B cell follicle and FDC in the spleen after intravenous injection. Only active CTA1-DD, but not the inactive mutant CTA1R7K-DD, provided enhancing effects on immune responses. By contrast, antigen delivered by the CTA1R7K-DD stimulated specific tolerance in adoptively transferred T cell receptor transgenic CD4(+) T cells. Whether targeting of B cells suffices for tolerance induction or requires participation of DCs remains to be investigated. With CT we found that enzyme-dependent modulation of DCs affects migration, maturation, and differentiation of DCs, which resulted in CD4(+) T cell help for IgA B cell development. On the contrary, antigen presentation in the absence of ADP-ribosylating enzyme, as seen with CTB or CTA1R7K-DD, appears to expand specific T cells to a similar extent as enzymatically active CT or CTA1-DD, but fails to recruit help for germinal center (GC) formation and the necessary expansion of activated B cells. Also, the CD41 T cells that are primed in a suboptimal, tolerogenic, fashion do not migrate to the B cell follicle to provide T cell help. Thus, ADP-ribosylating enzymes may be used to selectively control the induction of an active IgA response or promote the development of tolerance. In particular, on the targeted APC, modulation of the expression of costimulatory molecules, CD80, CD86, CD83, and B7RP-1, plays an important role in the effect of the ADP-ribosylating CTA1-based adjuvants on the development of tolerance or active IgA immunity. For example, the expression of CD86 in vivo was a prominent feature of the enzymatically active CT or CTA1-DD adjuvants. By contrast, CD80 expression appeared not to be important in CTA1-augmented APCs for an adjuvant function.

Internalization of circulating apoptotic cells by splenic marginal zone dendritic cells: dependence on complement receptors and effect on cytokine production

Under steady-state conditions, internalization of self-antigens embodied in apoptotic cells by dendritic cells (DCs) resident in peripheral tissue followed by DC migration and presentation of self-peptides to T cells in secondary lymphoid organs are key steps for induction and maintenance of peripheral T-cell tolerance. We show here that, besides this traffic of apoptotic cells mediated by peripheral tissue-resident DCs, splenic marginal zone DCs rapidly ingest circulating apoptotic leukocytes, process apoptotic cell-derived peptides into major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules, and acquire CD8alpha during their mobilization to T-cell areas of splenic follicles. Because apoptotic cells activate complement and some complement factors are opsonins for phagocytosis and play roles in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, we investigated the role of complement receptors (CRs) in relation to phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by DCs. Apoptotic cell uptake by marginal zone DCs was mediated in part via CR3 (CD11b/CD18) and, to a lesser extent, CR4 (CD11c/CD18) and was reduced significantly in vivo in hypocomplementemic animals. Following phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, DCs exhibited decreased levels of mRNA and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), without effect on the anti-inflammatory mediator transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1). This selective inhibitory effect was at least partially mediated through C3bi-CD11b/CD18 interaction. Characterization of apoptotic cell/DC interaction and its outcome provides insight into the mechanisms by which apoptotic cells affect DC function without disrupting peripheral tolerance.

Recombinant adenovirus induces maturation of dendritic cells via an NF-kappaB-dependent pathway.

Recombinant adenovirus (rAd) infection is one of the most effective and frequently employed methods to transduce dendritic cells (DC). Contradictory results have been reported recently concerning the influence of rAd on the differentiation and activation of DC. In this report, we show that, as a result of rAd infection, mouse bone marrow-derived immature DC upregulate expression of major histocompatibility complex class I and II antigens, costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, and CD86), and the adhesion molecule CD54 (ICAM-1). rAd-transduced DC exhibited increased allostimulatory capacity and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-12p40, IL-15, gamma interferon, and tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNAs, without effects on other immunoregulatory cytokine transcripts such as IL-10 or IL-12p35. These effects were not related to specific transgenic sequences or to rAd genome transcription. The rAd effect correlated with a rapid increase (1 h) in the NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. rAd-induced DC maturation was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor Nalpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) or by infection with rAd-IkappaB, an rAd-encoding the dominant-negative form of IkappaB. In vivo studies showed that after intravenous administration, rAds were rapidly entrapped in the spleen by marginal zone DC that mobilized to T-cell areas, a phenomenon suggesting that rAd also induced DC differentiation in vivo. These findings may explain the immunogenicity of rAd and the difficulties in inducing long-term antigen-specific T-cell hyporesponsiveness with rAd-transduced DC.

Early pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes infection in the mouse spleen

Histological observations suggested that in the spleen, blood-borne Listeria monocytogenes bacteria were preferentially ingested by two morphologically distinct mononuclear phagocyte populations present in the marginal zone of the white pulp. The morphologies of these phagocytes corresponded to those of marginal zone macrophages or marginal zone dendritic cells. Moreover, during the first day of infection, the same phagocytes containing listeria apparently translocated from the marginal zone into the white pulp where they established secondary infectious foci. This event was associated with a large influx of neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNLs) into infected white pulp, and with the disappearance of lymphocytes from this compartment. White pulp lymphocytopenia also occurred in the spleens of listeria-infected mice selectively depleted of neutrophil PMNLs, indicating that these phagocytes were not responsible for displacing or destroying lymphocytes. The implications of these findings for explaining the virulence and immunogenicity of L. monocytogenes are discussed.