β-Catenin promotes the differentiation of epidermal Langerhans dendritic cells

J Invest Dermatol. 2013 May;133(5):1250-9. doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.481. Epub 2013 Jan 10.

Abstract

The epithelial signaling protein and transcriptional regulator β-catenin has recently been implicated in hematopoietic dendritic cell (DC) differentiation as well as in DC-mediated tolerance. We here observed that epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) but not interstitial/dermal DCs express detectable β-catenin. LCs are unique among the DC family members in that LC networks critically depend on epithelial adhesion molecules as well as on the cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). However, despite the important functions of LCs in the immune system, the molecular mechanisms governing LC differentiation and maintenance remain poorly defined. We found that TGF-β1 induces β-catenin in progenitor cells undergoing LC differentiation and that β-catenin promotes LC differentiation. Vitamin D, another epidermal signal, enhanced TGF-β1-mediated β-catenin induction and promoted the expression of multiple epithelial genes by LCs. Moreover, full-length vitamin D receptor (VDR) promoted, whereas a truncated VDR diminished, the positive effects of ectopic β-catenin on LC differentiation. Therefore, we here identified β-catenin as a positive regulator of LC differentiation in response to TGF-β1 and identified a functional interaction between β-catenin and VDR in these cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Epidermis / drug effects
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Langerhans Cells / cytology
  • Langerhans Cells / drug effects
  • Langerhans Cells / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin D / pharmacology
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • beta Catenin
  • Vitamin D