Langerin-expressing dendritic cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissues

• Published in: Immunological reviews 2010-03, Vol.234 (1), p.233-246
• Main Authors: Chang, Sun-Young, Kweon, Mi-Na
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibody Formation; Antigens, CD - immunology; Antigens, Surface - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Cholecalciferol - immunology; dendritic cells; Dendritic Cells - immunology; digestive system; gut; Humans; IgA; Immunoglobulin A - biosynthesis; Langerhans Cells - immunology; langerin; Lectins, C-Type - immunology; Lymph Nodes - cytology; Lymph Nodes - immunology; Mannose-Binding Lectins - immunology; Mice; Peyer's Patches - cytology; Peyer's Patches - immunology; Phenotype; retinoic acid; Signal Transduction; Tretinoin - immunology
• ISSN: 0105-2896; 1600-065X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2009.00878.x

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⁺CD8α⁻ 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.