Langerin-expressing dendritic cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissues

Immunol Rev. 2010 Mar;234(1):233-46. doi: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2009.00878.x.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key regulators of the immune system. They act as professional antigen-presenting cells and are capable of activating naive T cells and stimulating the growth and differentiation of B cells. According to their molecular expression, DCs can be divided into several subsets with different functions. We focus on DC subsets expressing langerin, a C-type lectin. Langerin expression is predominant in skin DCs, but langerin-expressing DCs also exist in mucosal tissue and can be induced by immunization and sometimes by nutrient deficiency. Topical transcutaneous immunization induces langerin(+)CD8 alpha(-) DCs in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), which mediate the production of antigen-specific immunoglobulin A antibody in the intestine. Yet, in one recent study, langerin(+) DCs were generated in gut-associated lymphoid tissue and contributed to the suppressive intestinal immune environment in the absence of retinoic acid. In this review, we focus on the phenotypic and functional characteristics of langerin(+) DCs in the mucosal tissues, especially MLNs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antigens, CD / immunology*
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cholecalciferol / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / biosynthesis
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology
  • Lectins, C-Type / immunology*
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology*
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Peyer's Patches / cytology
  • Peyer's Patches / immunology*
  • Phenotype
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tretinoin / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Surface
  • CD207 protein, human
  • Cd207 protein, mouse
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Mannose-Binding Lectins
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Tretinoin