Migration Of Mature Dendritic Cells Research Articles

A mechanistic marker-based screening tool to predict clinical immunogenicity of biologics

BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of therapeutic proteins are undermined by immunogenicity driven by anti-drug antibodies. Immunogenicity risk assessment is critically necessary during drug development, but current methods lack predictive power and mechanistic insight into antigen uptake and processing leading to immune response. A key mechanistic step in T-cell-dependent immune responses is the migration of mature dendritic cells to T-cell areas of lymphoid compartments, and this phenomenon is most pronounced in the immune response toward subcutaneously delivered proteins.MethodsThe migratory potential of monocyte-derived dendritic cells is proposed to be a mechanistic marker for immunogenicity screening. Following exposure to therapeutic protein in vitro, dendritic cells are analyzed for changes in activation markers (CD40 and IL-12) in combination with levels of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 to represent migratory potential. Then a transwell assay captures the intensity of dendritic cell migration in the presence of a gradient of therapeutic protein and chemokine ligands.ResultsHere, we show that an increased ability of the therapeutic protein to induce dendritic cell migration along a gradient of chemokine CCL21 and CXCL12 predicts higher immunogenic potential. Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, in combination with activation markers CD40 and IL-12, strongly correlates with clinical anti-drug antibody incidence.ConclusionsMechanistic understanding of processes driving immunogenicity led to the development of a predictive tool for immunogenicity risk assessment of therapeutic proteins. These predictive markers could be adapted for immunogenicity screening of other biological modalities.

Local and Systemic Injections of Human Cord Blood Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells to Prevent Graft Rejection in Corneal Transplantation.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are therapeutic agents to prevent graft rejection in organ transplants by modulating inflammation. Herein, the immunosuppressive effect of human cord blood MDSCs on corneal allograft models was confirmed. CB-MDSCs were locally (subconjuctival, 5 × 105) or systemically (intravenous, 1 × 106) injected twice on days 0 and 7. A corneal transplantation model was established using C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, and corneal graft opacity was measured to evaluate graft rejection up to 6 weeks. Results showed that graft survival in the MDSCs groups increased compared to vehicle groups after 42 days. Systemic and local MDSC administration inhibited the maturation (MHC-IIhi CD11c+) of dendritic cells (DCs) and the differentiation of interferon γ+ CD4+ Th1 in draining lymph nodes (LNs). However, vehicle groups increased the infiltration of CD3+ T cells and F4/80+ macrophages and produced prominent neovascular and lymphatic vessels into the graft site with increased mRNA expression of VEGF-A/C and VEGFR-1/R-3. Local MDSCs administration showed prominent anti-angiogenic/anti-lymphangiogenic effects even at lower MDSCs doses. Thus, CB-MDSCs could relatively suppress the infiltration of pathological T cells/macrophages into the corneas and the migration of mature DCs into draining LNs Therefore, ocular and systemic MDSCs administration showed therapeutic potential for preventing corneal allograft rejection.

Investigation of Fascin1, a Marker of Mature Dendritic Cells, Reveals a New Role for IL-6 Signaling in CCR7-Mediated Chemotaxis.

Migration of mature dendritic cells (DCs) to lymph nodes is critical for the initiation of adaptive immunity. CCR7, a G-protein-coupled receptor for CCL19/21 chemokines, is known to be essential for chemotaxis of mature DCs, but the molecular mechanism linking inflammation to chemotaxis remains unclear. We previously demonstrated that fascin1, an actin-bundling protein, increases chemotaxis of mature mouse DCs. In this article, we demonstrated that fascin1 enhanced IL-6 secretion and signaling of mature mouse DCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that IL-6 signaling is required for chemotaxis. Blockage of IL-6 signaling in wild-type DCs with an anti-IL-6 receptor α (IL-6Rα) Ab inhibited chemotaxis toward CCL19. Likewise, knockout of IL-6Rα inhibited chemotaxis of bone marrow-derived DCs. The addition of soluble IL-6Rα and IL-6 rescued chemotaxis of IL-6Rα knockout bone marrow-derived DCs, underscoring the role of IL-6 signaling in chemotaxis. We found that IL-6 signaling is required for internalization of CCR7, the initial step of CCR7 recycling. CCR7 recycling is essential for CCR7-mediated chemotaxis, explaining why IL-6 signaling is required for chemotaxis of mature DCs. Our results have identified IL-6 signaling as a new regulatory pathway for CCR7/CCL19-mediated chemotaxis and suggest that rapid migration of mature DCs to lymph nodes depends on inflammation-associated IL-6 signaling.

The Chemokine Receptor CCR8 Promotes the Migration of Dendritic Cells into the Lymph Node Parenchyma to Initiate the Allergic Immune Response

The migration of mature dendritic cells (DCs) into thedraining lymph node (dLN) is thought to depend solely on the chemokine receptor CCR7. CD301b+ DCs migrate into the dLN after cutaneous allergen exposure and are required for T helper 2 (Th2) differentiation. We found that CD301b+ DCs poorly upregulated CCR7 expression after allergen exposure and required a second chemokine signal, mediated by CCR8 on CD301b+ DCs and its ligand CCL8, toexit the subcapsular sinus (SCS) and enter the lymph node (LN) parenchyma. After allergen exposure, CD169+SIGN-R1+ macrophages in interfollicular regions produced CCL8, which synergized with CCL21 in a Src-kinase-dependent manner to promote CD301b+ DC migration. In CCR8-deficient mice, CD301b+ DCs remained in the SCS and wereunable to enter the LN parenchyma, resulting in defective Th2 differentiation. We have defined aCCR8-dependent stepwise mechanism of DC-subset-specific migration through which LN CD169+SIGN-R1+ macrophages control the polarization of the adaptive immune response.

Lysosomal calcium in dendritic cell migration

Dendritic Cells Activation of dendritic cells (DCs) by stimuli such as bacterial sensing promotes DC maturation. In contrast to random migratory patterns of immature DCs, mature DCs migrate in a continuous and directional manner. Bretou et al. examined the role of lysosomes in regulating mature DC migration. Release of lysosomal calcium connects DC activation with directional migration. Deletion of a lysosomal calcium channel impaired directional DC migration and DC chemotaxis to lymph nodes. Thus, release of lysosomal calcium links stimulus sensing with DC migration. Sci. Immunol. 2 , eaak9573 (2017).

Graft Site Microenvironment Determines Dendritic Cell Trafficking Through the CCR7-CCL19/21 Axis.

PurposeThe graft site microenvironment has a profound effect on alloimmunity and graft survival. We aimed to study the kinetics and phenotype of trafficking antigen-presenting cells (APC) to the draining lymph nodes (DLNs) in a mouse model of corneal transplantation, and to evaluate the homing mechanisms through which graft site inflammation controls APC trafficking.MethodsAllogeneic donor corneas were transplanted onto inflamed or quiescent graft beds. Host- (YAe+) and donor (CD45.1+ or eGFP+)-derived APCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein and mRNA expression of the CC chemokine receptor (CCR)7 ligands CCL19 and CCL21 were assessed using ELISA and Real-Time qPCR, respectively. Transwell migration assay was performed to assess the effect of DLNs isolated from hosts with inflamed graft beds on mature bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (BMDCs).ResultsWe found that inflamed graft sites greatly promote the trafficking of both recipient- and graft-derived APCs, in particular mature CCR7+ CD11c+ dendritic cells (DC). CCL19 and CCL21 were expressed at significantly higher levels in the DLNs of recipients with inflamed graft beds. The supernatant of DLNs from recipients with inflamed graft beds induced a marked increase in mature DC migration compared with supernatant from recipients with quiescent graft beds in a transwell assay. This effect was abolished by neutralizing CCL19 or CCL21. These data suggest that graft site inflammation increases the expression of CCR7 ligands in the DLNs, which promote mature DC homing and allorejection.ConclusionsWe conclude that the graft site microenvironment plays a critical role in alloimmunity by determining DC trafficking through the CCR7-CCL19/21 axis.

Blockade of CCR7 leads to decreased dendritic cell migration to draining lymph nodes and promotes graft survival in low-risk corneal transplantation

The chemokine receptor CCR7 is essential for migration of mature dendritic cells (DCs) to the regional lymph nodes, and it has been shown that blocking of CCR7 improves graft survival after high-risk corneal transplantation in vascularized recipient corneas. However, it is so far unknown whether blocking of CCR7 reduces migration of DCs from the avascular cornea to the draining lymph nodes and whether this leads to improved graft survival also in the low-risk setting of corneal transplantation, which accounts for the majority of perforating transplantations performed. Therefore, in this study, pellets containing Freund's adjuvant and bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated to Alexa488 fluorescent dye were implanted into the corneal stroma of BALB/c mice to analyze antigen uptake by corneal DCs and their migration to the regional lymph nodes. After pellet implantation, mice were either treated by local administration of a CCR7 blocking fusion protein that consisted of CCL19 fused to the Fc part of human IgG1 or a control-IgG. In vivo fluorescence microscopy showed uptake of Alexa488-conjugated BSA by corneal DCs within 8 h. Furthermore, analysis of single cell suspensions of draining lymph nodes prepared after 48 h revealed that 2.1 ± 0.3% of CD11c+ cells were also Alexa488+. Importantly, DC migration was significantly reduced after topical administration of CCL19-IgG (1.2 ± 0.2%; p < 0.05). To test the effect of CCR7 blockade on graft rejection after allogeneic low-risk keratoplasty, corneal transplantations were performed using C57BL/6-mice as donors and BALB/c-mice as recipients. Treatment mice received two intraperitoneal loading doses of CCL19-IgG prior to transplantation, followed by local treatment with CCL19-IgG containing eye drops for the first two weeks after transplantation. Control mice received same amounts of control-IgG. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that in the CCL19-IgG treated group, 76% of the grafts survived through the end of the 8 week observation period, whereas 38% of the grafts survived in the control group (p < 0.05). Taken together, our study shows that blockade of CCR7 reduces the migration of mature corneal DCs to the draining lymph nodes and leads to improved graft survival in low-risk corneal transplantation.

Polysialic acid is required for neuropilin-2a/b-mediated control of CCL21-driven chemotaxis of mature dendritic cells and for their migration in vivo

Migration of mature dendritic cells (mDCs) to secondary lymphoid organs is required for the development of immunity. Recently, we reported that polysialic acid (PSA) and the transmembrane glycoprotein neuropilin-2 (NRP2) control mDC chemotaxis to CCL21 and that this process is dependent on the C-terminal basic region of the chemokine. Herein, we provide further insight into the molecular components controlling PSA regulated chemotaxis in mDCs. In the present study, we demonstrate that human mDCs express the NRP2 isoforms NRP2a and NRP2b, that both of them are susceptible to polysialylation and that polysialylation is required to specifically enhance chemotaxis toward CCL21 in mDCs. The results presented suggest that PSA attached to NRP2 isoforms acts as a binding module for the CCL21 chemokine, thereby facilitating its presentation to the chemokine receptor CCR7. To investigate the relevance of polysialylation on mDC migration, a xenograft mouse model was used and the migration of human DCs to mouse lymph nodes analyzed. Here, we demonstrate that the depletion of PSA from mDCs results in a drastic reduction in the migration of the cells to draining popliteal lymph nodes. With this finding, we provide first evidence that PSA is a crucial factor for in vivo migration of mDCs to lymph nodes.

IFN-β Inhibits Dendritic Cell Migration through STAT-1–Mediated Transcriptional Suppression of CCR7 and Matrix Metalloproteinase 9

IFN-beta is an approved therapeutic option for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of IFN-beta in multiple sclerosis are not fully understood. Migration of dendritic cells (DCs) from the inflammatory site to draining lymph nodes for Ag presentation and activation of naive T cells and to the CNS for reactivation of encephalitogenic T cells requires CCR7 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression. This article reports for the first time that IFN-beta inhibits CCR7 expression and MMP-9 production in mature DCs and reduces their migratory capacity. The effect of IFN-beta is mediated through STAT-1. In vivo treatment with IFN-beta results in lower numbers of DCs migrating to the draining lymph node following exposure to FITC and in reduced expression of CCR7 and MMP-9 in splenic CD11c(+) DCs following LPS administration. IFN-beta and IFN-gamma share the same properties in terms of their effects on CCR7, MMP-9, and DC migration, but they have opposite effects on IL-12 production. In addition, IFN-beta-treated DCs have a significantly reduced capacity for activating CD4(+) T cells and generating IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells. The suppression of mature DC migration through negative regulation of CCR7 and MMP-9 expression represents a novel mechanism for the therapeutic effect of IFN-beta.

IFNβ: an anti-inflammatory cytokine which inhibits dendritic cell migration and proinflammatory cytokine production (35.1)

Abstract IFNβ is an approved therapeutic option for the treatment of autoimmune disease, MS/EAE. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of IFNβ in MS/EAE are not fully understood. In EAE, migrating CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells (DC) are essential for development of clinical symptoms. Expressions of CCR7 and MMP-9 are required for DC migration from the inflammatory site to draining lymph nodes for antigen presentation and activation of naïve T cells and to the CNS during chronic neuroinflammation. Our results show IFNβ inhibits CCR7 expression, MMP-9 production, and migration of DCs matured with different stimuli, including LPS, Poly I:C, TNFα+IFNα, or TNFα+IL-1β+IL-6 in the presence of PGE2. STAT-1 activation is required for the IFNβ-mediated inhibition of CCR7 and MMP-9 expression, and subsequent DC migration. In addition, IFNβ inhibits the production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IL-23, whereas promoting the expression of the antinflammatory cytokine IL-10. In vivo administration of IFNβ results in doneregulation of CCR7 and MMP-9 expression, while upregulation of IL-10 production in splenic CD11c+ DC. There is reduced in vivo migration of exogenous DC treated with IFNβ, and of endogenous DC exposed to FITC in mice inoculated with IFNβ. In conclusion, our results provide novel molecular mechanisms for the beneficial effects of IFNβ in MS/EAE through the inhibition of mature DC migration and proinflammtory cytokine production.

Possible role for cellular FXIII in monocyte-derived dendritic cell motility

The A subunit of plasma factor XIII (FXIII-A) is thought to function as an intracellular transglutaminase (TG) in the monocyte/macrophage lineage to regulate certain intracellular processes involving cytoskeleton remodeling, but its precise role and the functional consequences of its absence remain poorly understood. In the present study, we show that cellular FXIII (cFXIII) expression is largely upregulated during in vitro differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells (DCs). Monodansyl-cadaverine, a competitive substrate of TG activity, inhibited basal and CCL19-stimulated migration of mature DCs. In agreement, FXIII-A-deficient DCs showed a reduced chemotactic response to CCL19. Consistent with these findings, CHO cells stably expressing human FXIII-A showed enhanced motility in transwell and scratch-wound assays. These cells displayed increased formation of membrane blebs, dynamic cell protrusions implicated in cell movement that were also observed in DCs. The results provide evidence suggesting that upregulation of cFXIII in DCs has a role in regulating cell motility.

IFNbeta inhibits DC migration in vitro and in vivo (92.2)

Abstract Interferon β (IFN β) is a widely approved therapeutic option for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS)/experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of IFNβ in MS/EAE are still not fully understood. In EAE, the major players are encephalitogenic CD4+ T cells and perivascular myeloid dendritic cells (DC). Therefore, migration of both peripheral T cells and DC into the CNS is essential for development of EAE/MS. Migration of DC from the inflammatory site to draining lymph nodes for antigen presentation and activation of naïve T cells, and to the CNS during chronic neuroinflammation requires CCR7 and MMP-9 expression. In this study, we report for the first time that IFNβ inhibits CCR7 expression and MMP-9 production in DC matured with a cytokine cocktail (TNFα+IL-1+IL-6+PGE2). In addition, DC matured in the presence of IFNβ exhibit a lower migratory capacity compared to mature DC. STAT-1 signaling is essential for IFNβ-mediated inhibition of CCR7 and MMP-9 expression, and subsequent DC migration. Our in vivo data also show that mice treated with IFNβ have a lower number of DC migrating to the draining lymph nodes following exposure to FITC as compared to controls. In conclusion, our results provide an addition mechanism for the beneficial effect of IFNβ in MS/EAE through the inhibition of mature DC migration. This work is support by NIH 2RO1AI052306

Complement C1q chemoattracts human dendritic cells and enhances migration of mature dendritic cells to CCL19 via activation of AKT and MAPK pathways

Dendritic cells (DC) and complement are both important effectors in innate immunity, and also potent linkers between innate immunity and adaptive immunity. As key components of innate immunity, various bioactive complement components produced at the inflammatory sites have been found to be able to regulate functions of DC. It is well known that migration of DC to the peripheral inflammatory sites benefits the recognition and uptake of invading pathogens by DC as antigen-presenting cells, and DC migration to secondary lymphatic tissues benefits the priming and activation of T cells. However, up to date, little is known about the underlying signaling mechanisms for the regulation of DC migration by the multifunctional molecule C1q, the first member of classical pathway. In this study, we show that C1q mediates the chemotaxis and transendothelial migration of immature MoDC. Additionally, C1q significantly enhances the chemotaxis of LPS-induced mature DC to CCL19 via upregulation of CCR7 expression. Activation of PI3K/AKT, ERK and JNK pathways is required for the chemotaxis of immature DC to C1q, meanwhile activation of AKT and P38 pathways is required for the C1q-mediated enhancement of mature DC chemotaxis to CCL19. Therefore, our results suggest that C1q, actively produced and accumulated at the inflammatory sites, can directly chemoattract immature DC from blood to peripheral inflammatory tissues, and promotes the migration of mature DC to secondary lymph organs via activation of AKT and MAPK pathways, thus outlining new way for favoring the link of innate immunity to adaptive immunity.

All-trans Retinoic Acid Enhances Murine Dendritic Cell Migration to Draining Lymph Nodes via the Balance of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors

Cancers escape immune surveillance through the manipulation of the host's immune system. Sequestration of dendritic cells (DCs) within tumor tissues and the subsequent inhibition of their migration is one of the several mechanisms by which tumors induce immunosuppression. In view of recent findings depicting the improvement of tumor immune responses in cancer patients following all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment, we sought to identify the effects of ATRA on DC mobility in the context of tumor immunotherapy. Our results demonstrate that ATRA, added to differentiating murine bone marrow progenitor cells, enhances the invasive capacity of the resulting DCs. Immature DCs injected intratumorally in mice show increased accumulation in draining lymph nodes, but not in nondraining lymph nodes and spleens, when differentiated in the presence of ATRA. The in vitro migration of mature DCs through the basement membrane matrix toward the lymphoid chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 is enhanced in these cells, albeit not in the presence of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor. An increase in MMP production with a simultaneous decrease in the production of their inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase or TIMPs) is provoked by ATRA. This affects the MMP/TIMP balance in DCs, in particular that of MMP-9 and TIMP-1, favoring protease activity and thus allowing for enhanced DC mobilization. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ATRA is capable of improving DC trafficking in a tumor milieu and, in view of the encouraging results obtained in the clinic, further supports the notion that ATRA might be a valuable chemical adjuvant to current immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer.

Vaccinia virus impairs directional migration and chemokine receptor switch of human dendritic cells

A crucial event for the induction of an anti-viral immune response is the coordinated, phenotype-dependent migration of dendritic cells (DC) to sites of infection and secondary lymphoid organs. Here we show that the vaccinia virus (VV) strains Western Reserve (WR) and modified virus Ankara (MVA) inhibit directional migration of mature DC toward the lymphoid chemokines CCL19 and CXCL12 without affecting surface expression of the respective chemokine receptors or impairing undirected cellular locomotion. Instead, infection with VV results in a deficiency of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and a disturbance of intracellular calcium mobilization, indicating a viral interference with signaling events downstream of the surface chemokine receptors. In immature DC, apart from inhibiting chemokine-induced migration of infected DC, infection with both VV strains increases expression of the inflammatory chemokine receptors CCR1 and CXCR1 on non-infected bystander DC, which depends on the activity of IFN-alpha. Although functional, these chemokine receptors are resistant to lipopolysaccharide-induced down-regulation. In addition, VV-infected and non-infected bystander DC fail to up-regulate the lymphoid chemokine receptor CCR7 upon activation, together pointing to a disability to undergo the chemokine receptor switch. This study shows that VV targets directional migration of professional antigen-presenting cells at multiple functional levels, revealing a potent viral strategy of immune escape.

Expression of the self-marker CD47 on dendritic cells governs their trafficking to secondary lymphoid organs

Dendritic cells (DCs) capture and process Ag in the periphery. Thus, traffic through lymphatic vessels is mandatory before DCs relocate to lymph nodes where they are dedicated to T-cell priming. Here, we show that the ubiquitous self-marker CD47 selectively regulates DC, but not T and B cell trafficking across lymphatic vessels and endothelial barriers in vivo. We find an altered skin DC migration and impaired T-cell priming in CD47-deficient mice at steady state and under inflammatory conditions. Competitive DC migration assays and active immunization with myeloid DCs demonstrate that CD47 expression is required on DCs but not on the endothelium for efficient DC trafficking and T-cell responses. This migratory defect correlates with the quasi-disappearance of splenic marginal zone DCs in nonmanipulated CD47-deficient mice. Nonetheless, CCR7 expression and CCL19-driven chemotaxis remain intact. Our data reveal that CD47 on DCs is a critical factor in controlling migration and efficient initiation of the immune response.

Regulatory effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide on the migration of mature dendritic cells

The neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), released within lymphoid organs from nerve terminals and/or immune cells, plays a significant anti-inflammatory role. It was reported that VIP can induce regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) and promote Th2-type responses. However, the regulatory effect of VIP on the migration and expression of chemokine receptors by DC is mostly unknown. In the present study, we show that VIP exerts a differential effect on the expression of CCR1 and CCR7 by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mature DCs (mDCs) at both protein and mRNA levels. It up-regulates CCR1 expression but down-regulates CCR7 expression in LPS-stimulated mature DC, thereby differentially regulating the migration of mature DCs in response to CCL5 and CCL19. Our data indicate that VIP functions as a key endogenous anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting migration of mDCs to draining lymph nodes, thus preventing the induction of an inflammatory immune response.

Mature monocyte‐derived dendritic cells respond more strongly to CCL19 than to CXCL12: consequences for directional migration

The chemokine receptor CCR7 is crucial for migration of mature dendritic cells (DC) directed toward secondary lymphoid organs; however, there is little knowledge about the function of the homeostatic chemokine receptor CXCR4 in DC and its contribution to directional migration of DC during inflammation. By comparing the impact of chemokine receptor engagement on mature DC we found that the CCR7 ligand CCL19 holds a stronger chemotactic potency than the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12. Moreover, CCL19 elicited rapid, steep and long-lasting mobilization of intracellular calcium in individual cells and induced intense phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and protein kinase B, while the intracellular signals elicited by CXCL12 were in part distinct and significantly weaker. Analysis of chemokine receptor expression revealed that although CCR7 and CXCR4 were expressed by a similar percentage of DC, the mean fluorescence intensity of CCR7 was up to six times higher, suggesting a higher receptor density. Based on these correlations we propose that the type of chemokine signal in conjunction with the expression and functional activity of the respective chemokine receptor is also determining the migration rate and potency of a chemotactic response in mature DC. In conclusion, our data support the fundamental role of CCR7 for rapidly guiding DC toward secondary lymphoid organs at an extra- and intracellular molecular level and on the contrary render CXCR4 a weaker contributor to directional migration of DC during inflammation.

CCR7-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation regulates cell migration in mature dendritic cells

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is generally thought to be involved in inflammation, proliferation and apoptosis. However, functional role(s) of this molecule in dendritic cells (DCs) has not been well understood. CCR7 ligands, CCL19 and CCL21, induce not only chemotaxis but also endocytosis in mature DCs. In the present study, we examined the role of JNK for inducing chemotaxis and endocytosis in murine mature DCs. CCL19 rapidly enhanced endocytosis of mature DCs within a few minutes, whereas significant migration of mature DCs to this chemokine was detected 30 min or more after incubation. CCL19 significantly activated JNK in mature DCs at 15 min. CCL19 also increased interaction between phospho-JNK and phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MKK) 4 but not phospho-MKK7 in mature DCs, suggesting that the JNK activation is mediated via MKK4. Blocking of this JNK activation significantly inhibited the CCL19-induced migration of mature DCs. Blocking of Rho-associated kinase also inhibited the CCL19-induced migration without affecting the JNK activation. On the other hand, the inhibition of either JNK or Rho-associated kinase showed no significant effects on CCL19-induced endocytosis by mature DCs. These findings suggest that CCL19 activates JNK via a Rho-independent pathway, thereby inducing migration of mature DCs, whereas the JNK activation is dispensable for the CCL19-induced endocytosis. It seems that at least two different pathways, JNK pathway and Rho-associated kinase pathway, are involved in the CCR7-mediated migration of mature DCs. Thus, we demonstrate herein a novel role of JNK for regulating chemokine-induced DC migration.

CCR7 Ligand‐Enhanced Phagocytosis of Various Antigens in Mature Dendritic Cells—Time Course and Antigen Distribution Different from Phagocytosis in Immature Dendritic Cells

CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is selectively expressed on mature dendritic cells (DC). The CCR7 ligands, CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 19 and CCL21, facilitate migration of mature DC from the peripheral tissues to regional lymph nodes. We previously demonstrated that CCR7 ligands induced rapid receptor-mediated endocytosis of dextran in mature DC. In the present study, we further examined the effects of CCR7 ligands on endocytosis of other kinds of antigen, mannosilated bovine serum albumin (Mann-BSA), Escherichia coli(E. coli), or ovalbumin-containing immune complex (OVA-IC), by mature DC. We found that CCR7 ligands enhanced the endocytosis of Mann BSA, E. coli, and OVA-IC in mature DC but not in immature DC. The endocytosis of BSA was not enhanced by CCR7 ligands. Furthermore, the phagocytosis of OVA-IC was significantly inhibited by anti-Fcgamma receptor III/II antibody. These results demonstrate that CCR7 ligands enhance only receptor-mediated endocytosis by mature DC. When rapidly phagocytosed E. coli were traced in CCL19-treated mature DC, most of the phagocytosed E. coli did not colocalize with the lysosomal marker: lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (Lamp-1), whereas most of E. coli taken up relatively slowly by immature DC colocalized with Lamp-1. These results suggest that phagocytosis of antigens by immature and mature DC plays different functional roles.