Induction of an increased number of dendritic cells in the peritoneal cavity of rats by intraperitoneal administration of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin

• Published in: Immunobiology (1979) 1992-11, Vol.186 (3), p.230-240
• Main Authors: Van Vugt, Ellen, Verdaasdonk, Marina A.M., Beelen, Robert H.J., Kamperdijk, Eduard W.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity; Animals; Antigen-Presenting Cells; BCG Vaccine - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Dendritic Cells - ultrastructure; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Immunobiology; Immunophenotyping; Immunosuppressive Agents - immunology; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Organs and cells involved in the immune response; Peptides - immunology; Peritoneal Cavity - cytology; Rats; Rats, Inbred ACI; Spleen - cytology
• ISSN: 0171-2985; 1878-3279
• DOI: 10.1016/S0171-2985(11)80252-4

Recently we described the presence of a small number of DC among the peritoneal cells of steady state rats. These DC had the same morphological characteristics and a similar antigen-presenting capacity as DC isolated from the spleen. This study shows that in the peritoneal cavity, which is a non-lymphoid microenvironment, the number of DC increases after i.p. administration of BCG. Next to this relatively small influx of DC, the approximately three-fold increase of the total number of cells is predominantly caused by an enormous influx of neutrophilic granulocytes, and to a lesser extent by an influx of macrophages. The phenotype and the antigen-presenting capacity of peritoneal DC has not changed, while the number of Ia-positive MΦ has increased. Nevertheless, due to a suppressive effect of the peritoneal MΦ, the total peritoneal cell suspension is no longer capable of presenting antigen.