CD1a、CD209 及MHCII在新生儿指皮组织中的表达及意义

目的:探讨新生儿指尖皮肤及皮下组织中树突状细胞的形态、数量和分布情况。方法:5例尸检新生儿无名指指皮组织样本,行免疫组织化学染色(CD1a、CD209和MHCⅡ标记),光镜观察。结果:新生儿指皮组织中,阳性细胞呈棕褐色,大小不等、形态多样,有数量不等的突起,呈散在或灶带状分布。CD1a标记的细胞阳性率为(23±11.9)%,多位于表皮乳头周围,血管外膜以及真皮疏松结缔组织中;CD209标记的细胞阳性率为(30±7.7)%,多位于真皮层内,血管神经分叉处,血管外膜,环层小体被囊结缔组织中;MHCⅡ的标记的细胞阳性率(8±1.9)%,多位于血管外膜及周围疏松结缔组织中。结论:稳态下,新生儿皮肤组织中存在多种分化发育程度不同的DCs(且以不成熟DCs为主),是皮肤免疫微环境的重要组成部分。     

人脑老化过程中胶质纤维酸性蛋白的表达变化

目的:研究人脑老化过程中胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的表达变化.方法:两例人脑标本,样本一:女性,64岁,生前诊断有血管性淀粉病变;样本二:男性,16岁,死于急性心肌炎,两例标本均于死后12 h取脑,取皮质和海马部位,进行GFAP的常规免疫组化染色进行定量分析.结果:老年脑星形胶质细胞呈明显激活状态,GFAP阳性细胞数目显著增多,胞体增大,突起粗短,刚果红染色可见老年斑周围GFAP阳性细胞成簇聚集;年轻脑GFAP阳性细胞数目少,胞体瘦小,突起细长,未见GFAP阳性细胞成簇聚集.统计学分析表明GFAP阳性细胞数和蛋白质的表达变化在老年脑和年轻脑具有差别显著性(P＜0.Ol) .结论:衰老和血管淀粉样病变在人脑星形胶质细胞的增生和激活过程中具有重要的作用.     

小鼠肺脏间质树突状细胞形态学分布与观察

目的认识小鼠肺脏间质树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DC)的形态、数量和分布特点。方法运用光镜、电镜观察与免疫组化标记(CD11c、CD205、CD80、CD86及MHC-II类分子I-Ab)方法,观察研究C57BL/6小鼠肺脏间质树突状细胞的形态、数量和分布。结果小鼠肺脏间质树突状细胞具有与免疫器官及外周血中DC相同的超微形态特征;CD11c阳性DC含量约占肺脏总细胞数的8.5‰,广泛分布于肺间质中;表达CD205、CD80、CD86及I-Ab的成熟DC含量稀少,多位于间质血管周围。结论肺脏间质树突状细胞是一种脏器免疫前哨细胞,是肺脏免疫微环境的重要组成部分。     

GM-CSF体外诱导培养C57BL/6J小鼠BMDCs的动态观察及鉴定

本研究旨在通过培养并观察C57BL/6J小鼠骨髓来源树突状细胞(BMDCs)集落、形态、表型的动态变化,为BMDCs的形态、表型等方面提供参考数据。取C57BL/6J小鼠骨髓,用粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)诱导和培养BMDCs,在第3、6、9、12天拍照、HE染色观察BMDCs的集落、形态;FACS分析第3、6、9、12天以及LPS刺激后BMDCs的CD11c、CD80和CD86的表达;扫面电镜拍照LPS刺激后BMDCs的树突与形态。发现GM-CSF诱导和培养的C57BL/6J小鼠BMDCs在第3天形成明显的集落、第6天集落释放较多的BMDCs;显微镜下HE染色显示,第3天可见BMDCs有突起、第6天明显,第12天有明显突起的细胞数量增多;FACS分析显示,随着培养时间的增加,BMDCs的CD11c、CD80、CD86的表达逐渐上调,第12天表达较明显,LPS刺激能提高CD80、CD86的表达;扫描电镜显示,LPS刺激的BMDCs有明显的树突状突起。因此GM-CSF诱导和培养的C57BL/6J小鼠BMDC具有典型的树突状突起、表达CD11c、CD80、CD86等树突状细胞(DCs)分子标记,LPS刺激能促进CD11c、CD80、CD86的表达。     

肝癌中HBV和HCV基因和抗原的分布及意义

采用原位分子杂交方法检测HCV RNA及HBV X基因;采用免疫组织化学方法研究HCV核心抗原,非结构区C33c抗原及HBxAg在肝细胞肝癌中的定位及分布.结果表明(1)HCV RNA、HBV X基因在肝细胞肝癌组织检出率分别为40%(55/136)和82%(112/136).HCV RNA定位于癌细胞的胞浆内,阳性细胞呈散在、灶状及弥漫分布三种形式;HBV X基因在肝癌细胞中的分布呈胞浆型、核型及核浆型,阳性细胞也呈上述三种分布形式;(2)HCV C33c抗原、核心抗原在肝细胞肝癌中的阳性率为81%(133/164)及86%(141/164).C33c抗原定位于癌细胞及肝细胞的胞浆内;核心抗原既定位于癌细胞核中,又可定位于胞浆中.C33c抗原阳性细胞以灶状分布为主;而核心抗原阳性细     

中国青海地区喜马拉雅旱獭嗜肝病毒自然感染的组织学研究

应用原位杂交技术、免疫组化技术以土拨鼠肝炎病毒(Woodchuck hepatitis virus,WHV)的检测系统检测50份 喜马拉雅旱獭肝组织可能存在的嗜肝病毒c基因、s抗原及c抗原的表达,同时检测肝脏组织病理学改变。结果显示 旱獭肝组织中嗜肝病毒s抗原、c抗原的阳性率分别为26％(13／50)、36％(18／50);在抗原双阳性的10份肝组织标本 中有c基因的阳性表达,阳性率为50％。c抗原定位于肝细胞胞浆和／或胞核,呈散在、片簇状分布,c基因定位于肝细 胞的细胞核,阳性细胞散在分布。50份标本中5份出现肝炎的病理改变,与抗原检出间无明显相关性。使用WHV 的病毒检测系统证实青海地区喜马拉雅旱獭可能存在类似WHV的嗜肝病毒感染,从组织学的角度为中国青海地区 喜马拉雅旱獭嗜肝病毒自然感染提供证据,此种动物有可能用于建立嗜肝病毒感染的动物模型。     

中国青海地区喜马拉雅旱獭嗜肝病毒自然感染的组织学研究

应用原位杂交技术、免疫组化技术以土拨鼠肝炎病毒(Woodchuck hepatitis virus,WHV)的检测系统检测50份喜马拉雅旱獭肝组织可能存在的嗜肝病毒c基因、s抗原及c抗原的表达,同时检测肝脏组织病理学改变.结果显示旱獭肝组织中嗜肝病毒s抗原、c抗原的阳性率分别为26%(13/50)、36%(18/50);在抗原双阳性的10份肝组织标本中有c基因的阳性表达,阳性率为50%.c抗原定位于肝细胞胞浆和/或胞核,呈散在、片簇状分布,c基因定位于肝细胞的细胞核,阳性细胞散在分布.50份标本中5份出现肝炎的病理改变,与抗原检出问无明显相关性.使用WHV的病毒检测系统证实青海地区喜马拉雅旱獭可能存在类似WHV的嗜肝病毒感染,从组织学的角度为中国青海地区喜马拉雅旱獭嗜肝病毒自然感染提供证据,此种动物有可能用于建立嗜肝病毒感染的动物模型.     

ABRA在正常成年大鼠大脑皮质和海马区的表达

目的观察ABRA(Actin binding Rho activator)在成年大鼠大脑皮质和海马中的表达。方法制备成年大鼠脑的冰冻切片,采用共聚焦免疫荧光技术和免疫荧光强度测量检测ABRA在大鼠大脑皮质和海马区的表达。结果 ABRA在神经元的胞核、胞浆、突起内可见,其中胞核着色最强。在大脑皮质,ABRA阳性的神经元胞体和突起广泛分布于皮质的分子层、外颗粒层、外锥体细胞层、内颗粒层、内锥体细胞层、多形细胞层,其免疫荧光强度分别为129.22±16.94、125.39±29.83、117.67±22.50、105.85±17.65、103.90±18.00、100.23±20.38,ABRA阳性细胞率分别为0.51±0.01、0.69±0.02、0.64±0.03、0.58±0.05、0.65±0.09、0.63±0.01。在海马,ABRA均匀分布于海马各部,阳性神经元集中于锥体细胞层,而其阳性突起弥散分布于海马分子层和多形层。海马锥体细胞层、分子层、多形层免疫荧光强度分别为141.19±35.48、53.19±10.38、43.32±9.59,ABRA阳性细胞率分别为0.62±0.04、0.27±0.07、0.25±0.03。结论 ABRA广泛表达于大鼠大脑皮质和海马各层,提示ABRA可能在大鼠这些部位的神经细胞功能活动方面起重要作用。     

不同肝病变组织中CD34、CD31、Ki-67的表达及意义

目的比较正常肝组织、慢性肝炎、肝硬化、肝细胞肝癌组织及肝转移腺癌中CD34、CD31、Ki-67不同表达,寻找有助于鉴别不同性质病变的生物学标记物.方法正常肝及病变肝组织标本共104例;其中,正常肝组织10例;慢生C型肝炎组织73例;肝硬化组织7例;肝细胞肝癌7例;结肠癌肝转移5例;乳腺癌肝转移2例.73例慢性C型肝炎组织全部为肝穿活检标本,其余组织均为手术切除标本.所有病例标本分别行CD34、CD31、Ki-67免疫组织化学染色,半定量评分系统评价染色结果.统计学分析结果数据.结果在非肿瘤组织,抗CD34阳性染色主要存在于汇管区,亦可见于汇管区周围的肝实质内血窦.阳性染色内皮细胞呈点状、线状、半环状及环状,散在或簇状分布.肿瘤组织内抗CD34阳性染色特征与非肿瘤组织相似,阳性染色血管在肿瘤组织内散布分布.CD34指数在各病变组中的表达排列顺序依次为:肝细胞肝癌>乳腺癌肝转移>结肠癌肝转移>肝硬化>慢性C型肝炎>正常肝组织,从正常肝组织至慢性肝炎至肝细胞肝癌,CD34表达明显增强.组织中,抗CD31阳性染色分布、定位、形态特征与CD34相似.CD31在慢性肝炎、肝硬化、肝细胞肝癌、结肠癌肝转移及乳腺癌肝转移组织中阳性表达率分别为:6.8%(5/73)、100%(7/7)、100%(7/7)、100%(5/5)、100%(2/2);肝癌组织中CD31染色强度明显大于非癌组织中,组间比较具有显著差异(P<0.05).Ki-67阳性染色细胞呈棕黄色核着色,散在分布于肝实质内.阳性染色细胞无形态特殊性,亦无分布上的特殊性.Ki-67在各病变组间的阳性表达率分别为:64.4%(47/73)、28.6%(2/7)、100%(7/7)、100%(5/5)、100%(2/2),其中以在结肠癌肝转移组织中表达最明显;组间比较具有非常显著差异(P<0.05).在正常肝脏、慢性C型肝炎、肝硬化、肝细胞肝癌CD34、CD31、Ki-67三种生物学标记物在同一标本同时表达的阳性率分别为:0%(0/0)、4.1%(3/73)、28.6%(2/7)、100%(7/7),CD34、CD31、Ki-67其中任两种同时表达的阳性率分别为0%(0/10)、63.0%(46/73)、100%(7/7)、100%(7/7).结论 CD34是慢性肝病、肝癌临床病理评价的指标之一,CD34与CD31、Ki-67同时分析有助于建立可靠的诊断.     

肝癌中HBV和HCV基因和抗原的分布及意义

采用原位分子杂交方法检测HCV RNA及HBV X基因;采用免疫组织化学方法研究HCV核心抗原,非结构区C33c抗原及HBxAg在肝细胞肝癌中的定位及分布。结果表明（1）HCV RNA、HBV X基因在肝细胞肝癌组织检出率分别为40％（55／136）和82％（112／136）。HCV RNA定位于癌细胞的胞浆内,阳性细胞呈散在、灶状及弥漫分布三种形式;HBV X基因在肝癌细胞中的分布呈胞浆型、核型及核浆型,阳性细胞也呈上述三种分布形式;（2）HCV C33c抗原、核心抗原在肝细胞肝癌中的阳性率为81％（133／164）及86％（141／164）。C33c抗原定位于癌细胞及肝细胞的浆内;核心抗原毁定位于癌细胞核中,又可定位于胞浆中。C33c抗原阳性细胞以灶状分布为主;而核心抗原阳性细胞在癌组织以弥漫核阳性常见,在癌旁肝组织以胸浆阳性为主;（3）HBxAg在肝细胞肝 癌中的检出率为75％（123／164）,C33c和HBxAg二者同时阳性占63％（103／164）。HCV感染在我国肝细胞肝癌中比较普遍,HCV和HBV重叠感染占相当比例,可能在肝细胞肝癌的发生中起着重要作用。     

Quantitative and Qualitative Deficits in Neonatal Lung-Migratory Dendritic Cells Impact the Generation of the CD8+ T Cell Response

CD103+ and CD11b+ populations of CD11c+MHCIIhi murine dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to carry antigens from the lung through the afferent lymphatics to mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN). We compared the responses of these two DC populations in neonatal and adult mice following intranasal infection with respiratory syncytial virus. The response in neonates was dominated by functionally-limited CD103+ DCs, while CD11b+ DCs were diminished in both number and function compared to adults. Infecting mice at intervals through the first three weeks of life revealed an evolution in DC phenotype and function during early life. Using TCR transgenic T cells with two different specificities to measure the ability of CD103+ DC to induce epitope-specific CD8+ T cell responses, we found that neonatal CD103+ DCs stimulate proliferation in a pattern distinct from adult CD103+ DCs. Blocking CD28-mediated costimulatory signals during adult infection demonstrated that signals from this costimulatory pathway influence the hierarchy of the CD8+ T cell response to RSV, suggesting that limited costimulation provided by neonatal CD103+ DCs is one mechanism whereby neonates generate a distinct CD8+ T cell response from that of adults.     

Intestinal CD103+ Dendritic Cells Are Key Players in the Innate Immune Control of Cryptosporidium parvum Infection in Neonatal Mice

Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite found worldwide, that develops only in the gastrointestinal epithelium and causes profuse diarrhea. Using a mouse model of C. parvum infection, we demonstrated by conditional depletion of CD11c+ cells that these cells are essential for the control of the infection both in neonates and adults. Neonates are highly susceptible to C. parvum but the infection is self-limited, whereas adults are resistant unless immunocompromised. We investigated the contribution of DC to the age-dependent susceptibility to infection. We found that neonates presented a marked deficit in intestinal CD103+ DC during the first weeks of life, before weaning, due to weak production of chemokines by neonatal intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). Increasing the number of intestinal CD103+ DC in neonates by administering FLT3-L significantly reduced susceptibility to the infection. During infections in neonates, the clearance of the parasite was preceded by a rapid recruitment of CD103+ DC mediated by CXCR3-binding chemokines produced by IEC in response to IFNγ. In addition to this key role in CD103+ DC recruitment, IFNγ is known to inhibit intracellular parasite development. We demonstrated that during neonatal infection CD103+ DC produce IL-12 and IFNγ in the lamina propria and the draining lymph nodes. Thus, CD103+DC are key players in the innate immune control of C. parvum infection in the intestinal epithelium. The relative paucity of CD103+ DC in the neonatal intestine contributes to the high susceptibility to intestinal infection.

Authors Summary

Dendritic cells are central to the defense against mucosal pathogens. They are numerous and form a uniform network in the intestinal mucosa of adults, but are poorly characterized in the intestine of neonates. Young animals are more susceptible than adults to intestinal pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium parvum, a zoonotic agent distributed worldwide that develops in the epithelium of the small intestine causing profuse diarrhea. We show that dendritic cells are scarce in the small intestine of neonates until weaning and that increasing their numbers in vivo results in increased resistance to infection. Using a conditional depletion model we demonstrate that the presence of dendritic cells is necessary for the control of the infection in both neonates and adults. During infection in neonates, dendritic cells are rapidly recruited into the intestine by chemokines produced by the epithelium and produce interferon gamma, a cytokine that inhibits parasite development in epithelial cells. Thus, the low number of dendritic cells in the intestinal mucosa of neonates is responsible for their sensitivity to cryptosporidiosis, and probably contributes to the general susceptibility of neonates to intestinal diseases.     

Simian immunodeficiency virus infection in neonatal macaques

Children with human immunodeficiency virus infection often have higher viral loads and progress to AIDS more rapidly than adults. Since the intestinal tract is a major site of early viral replication and CD4(+) T-cell depletion in adults, we examined the effects of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) on both peripheral and intestinal lymphocytes from 13 neonatal macaques infected with SIVmac239. Normal neonates had more CD4(+) T cells and fewer CD8(+) T cells in all tissues than adults. Surprisingly, neonates had substantial percentages of CD4(+) T cells with an activated, memory phenotype (effector CD4(+) T cells) in the lamina propria of the intestine compared to peripheral lymphoid tissues, even when examined on the day of birth. Moreover, profound and selective depletion of jejunum lamina propria CD4(+) T cells occurred in neonatal macaques within 21 days of infection, which was preceded by large numbers of SIV-infected cells in this compartment. Furthermore, neonates with less CD4(+) T-cell depletion in tissues tended to have higher viral loads. The persistence of intestinal lamina propria CD4(+) T cells in some neonates with high viral loads suggests that increased turnover and/or resistance to CD4(+) T-cell loss may contribute to the higher viral loads and increased severity of disease in neonatal hosts.     

Uptake and intracytoplasmic storage of pigmented particles by human CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes: endocytic property of telocytes

We studied the phagocytic‐like capacity of human CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (TCs). For this, we examined segments of the colon after injection of India ink to help surgeons localize lesions identified at endoscopy. Our results demonstrate that CD34+ TCs have endocytic properties (phagocytic‐like TCs: phTCs), with the capacity to uptake and store India ink particles. phTCs conserve the characteristics of TCs (long, thin, bipolar or multipolar, moniliform cytoplasmic processes/telopodes, with linear distribution of the pigment) and maintain their typical distribution. Likewise, they are easily distinguished from pigment‐loaded macrophages (CD68+ macrophages, with oval morphology and coarse granules of pigment clustered in their cytoplasm). A few c‐kit/CD117+ interstitial cells of Cajal also incorporate pigment and may conserve the phagocytic‐like property of their probable TC precursors. CD34+ stromal cells in other locations (skin and periodontal tissues) also have the phagocytic‐like capacity to uptake and store pigments (hemosiderin, some components of dental amalgam and melanin). This suggests a function of TCs in general, which may be related to the transfer of macromolecules in these cells. Our ultrastructural observation of melanin‐storing stromal cells with characteristics of TCs (telopodes with dichotomous branching pattern) favours this possibility. In conclusion, intestinal TCs have a phagocytic‐like property, a function that may be generalized to TCs in other locations. This function (the ability to internalize small particles), together with the capacity of these cells to release extracellular vesicles with macromolecules, could close the cellular bidirectional cooperative circle of informative exchange and intercellular interactions.     

Flt3 ligand expands dendritic cell numbers in normal and malignant murine prostate

We have developed a murine model that facilitates the structural and functional analysis in vivo of dendritic cell (DC)-mediated phagocytosis of prostate epithelial cells. Recombinant human Flt3 ligand (rhFL) expands the number of dendritic cells in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues of mice. We show that rhFL also induced the ingress of dendritic cells into murine prostate, which involutes via epithelial apoptosis after surgical castration. Intact or castrated C57BL/6 and syngeneic transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice were treated with rhFL or PBS control. Prostate and spleen were then studied by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.The number of prostatic CD11c+ and CD11b+ dendritic cells increased significantly in rhFL-treated mice compared with PBS-treated control mice and this effect was greatly augmented by castration of the mice. The immunophenotype of rhFL-mobilized prostatic cells was consistent with that of Langerhans cells (MHC class II+, CD11c+,CD11b+, DEC-205+, CD8 alpha-).MHC class II+ and CD11c+ dendritic cells that were present in the prostate glands of rhFL-treated and castrated C57BL/6 mice were intimately associated with TUNEL+ inclusions, which suggests that Langerhans-type dendritic cells in prostate participated in the clearance of apoptotic cells. Expression of MHC class II, CD54, CD80 and CD86 by prostatic dendritic cells was not up-regulated after castration and freshly isolated rhFL-induced prostate cells were unable to prime allogeneicT cells unless they were activated by culture either on plastic or with recombinant soluble CD40 ligand. Our data suggest that rhFL-mobilized prostatic dendritic cells resemble the functionally immature dendritic cells, which reside in peripheral tissues and contribute to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance.     

LGL-1: a non-polymorphic antigen expressed on a major population of mouse natural killer cells

Rat mAb have been raised to mouse liver-derived large granular lymphocytes (LGL). One of these mAb (4D11) binds specifically to mouse LGL and appears to recognize a non-allelic determinant on NK-active cell populations. The Ag recognized by 4D11 is expressed on LGL of all mouse strains tested, including C57BL/6 (B6), BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, and SJL/J; thus, we have provisionally called this Ag LGL-1. Analysis of various lymphoid and hemopoietic tissues has indicated that only normal tissues known to contain NK activity have 4D11+ cells. With B6 and B6 congenic strains, a positive correlation exists between the number of LGL in a sample and the percentage of 4D11 immunofluorescence-positive cells detected by flow cytometric analysis. Dual color immunofluorescence analyses indicate that some LGL-1+ cells are also stained for Ly-1 and Thy-1. A very small subset exists that is weakly positive for CD3 and LGL-1. However, virtually no cells are seen which co-express LGL-1 and Ly-2. LU activity against YAC-1 targets was increased 7- to 700-fold in LGL-1+ spleen cells obtained by cell sorting from several different strains of mice (B6, BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, SJL/J, and athymic/nude). Sorted, LGL-1- spleen cells contained little or no NK activity. Cells positively selected for LGL-1 also contained between 50 and 60% LGL by morphology. By using facilitated in vitro antibody plus C' treatments, the majority of NK activity can be depleted from both B6 spleen and liver-derived leukocyte populations enriched for NK cells. mAb 4D11 was also shown to precipitate a protein of approximately 87 kDa from the surface of enriched murine NK cells. This mAb should prove valuable for understanding the role of NK cells in the immune response.     

Human blood dendritic cell-like B cells isolated by the 5G9 monoclonal antibody reactive with a novel 220-kDa antigen.

We developed a murine IgG1 mAb, 5G9, following immunization of a BALB/c mouse with Daudi cells. By immunoprecipitation, 5G9 reacted with a 220-kDa Ag on Daudi cells, which reduced to four subunits (55, 65, 80, and 85 kDa). mAb 5G9 bound to 40-60% of peripheral blood B cells, weakly reacted with monocytes and granulocytes, and did not bind to erythrocytes, platelets, T cells, or NK cells. mAb 5G9 brightly stained scattered cells in human tonsil sections, which appeared to be dendritic cells (DC) by morphology. mAb 5G9 also stained scattered cells in cytospin slides of monocyte-derived DC with long, thin, beaded membrane processes, morphologically distinct from other monocyte-derived DC. Positive selection of blood mononuclear cells with mAb 5G9 and sheep anti-mouse IgG Dynabeads demonstrated an enriched population of DC. By flow cytometry analysis, these cells were CD19, CD20, CD22, CD40, CD44, CD83, CD86, IgD, and HLA-Dr positive and either kappa- or lambda-L chain positive. They did not express CD3, CD4, CD5, CD10, CD11b, CD13, CD25, CD56, CD14, CD33, or CD64. Isolated 5G9+ cells were potent APCs in allogeneic MLR, compared with 5G9- PBMC, 5G9- B cells, monocytes, and monocytes cultured in IL-4 and GM-CSF for 24 h. mAb 5G9 defines a novel peripheral blood cell with B cell phenotype and DC morphology and function: DC-like B cells. The significance of this cell in immune responses requires further study.     

Immunophenotyping of dendritic cells in lesional, perilesional and distant skin of chronic plaque psoriasis

Psoriasis affects 2.7% of the world’s population. The sequence of these events remains controversial. Because antigen presenting is necessary for T-cell activation, dendritic cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. To investigate their role, we examined immunophenotyping of different dendritic cells and their distribution and numbers in psoriasis patients. Immunohistochemistry of CD1a, CD11c, CD86 and BDCA2 were performed using paraffin-embedded tissue obtained from a total of 45 patients with psoriasis. Samples were taken from the lesion, perilesional and distant skin and normal skin obtained from 10 control cases. There were marked increase in the number of positive CD1a, CD11c, CD86 and BDCA2 cells in perilesional and the psoriatic skin when compared to the distant skin and they were the least in the normal control skin. So different dendritic cells subsets have a very important role in psoriasis pathogenesis especially in initiation of the plaque in the perilesional skin.     

Early interaction of Yersinia pestis with APCs in the lung

Despite the importance of pneumonic plague, little is known of the early pulmonary immune responses that occur following inhalation of Yersinia pestis. Therefore, we conducted studies to identify the early target cells for uptake of Y. pestis in the lungs following intratracheal or i.v. inoculation. Following intratracheal inoculation, Y. pestis was rapidly internalized primarily by a distinctive population of CD11c+DEC-205+CD11b- cells in the airways, whereas i.v. inoculation resulted in uptake primarily by CD11b+CD11c- macrophages and granulocytes in lung tissues. The airway cells internalized and were infected by Y. pestis, but did not support active replication of the organism. Intratracheal inoculation of Y. pestis resulted in rapid activation of airway CD11c+ cells, followed within 24 h by the selective disappearance of these cells from the airways and lungs and the accumulation of apoptotic CD11c+ cells in draining lymph nodes. When CD11c+ cells in the airways were depleted using liposomal clodronate before infection, this resulted in a significantly increased replication of Y. pestis in the lungs and dissemination to the spleen and draining lymph nodes. These findings suggest that CD11c+ cells in the airways play an important role in suppressing the initial replication and dissemination of inhaled Y. pestis, although these results will also require confirmation using fully virulent strains of Y. pestis. Depletion of these airway cells by Y. pestis may therefore be one strategy the organism uses to overcome pulmonary defenses following inhalation of the organism.     

Role of the CD8+ dendritic cell subset in transmission of prions

Controversial results have been observed in mouse models regarding the role of lymphoid tissues in prion pathogenesis. To investigate the role of dendritic cells (DC), we used a transgenic mouse model. In this model (CD11c-N17Rac1), a significant reduction of CD8+ CD11c(hi) DC has been described, and the remaining CD8+ DC demonstrate a reduced capacity for the uptake of apoptotic cells. After intraperitoneal prion infection, significantly longer incubation times were observed in CD11c-N17Rac1 mice than in controls, indicating that a defect in CD8+ CD11c(hi) DC significantly impedes neuroinvasion after intraperitoneal infection. In contrast, no distinct differences were observed between CD11c-N17Rac1 mice and controls after oral infection. This provides evidence that oral and intraperitoneal prion infections differ in lymphoreticular requirements.