Dendritic cells and T lymphocytes: Developmental and functional interactions
Journal Title
MOLECULAR BASIS OF CELLULAR DEFENCE MECHANISMS
Publication Type
S
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized for presentation of antigen to T cells and are essential for primary T cell activation. Although DCs are generally considered to be myeloid derived, we now have evidence that a subgroup are of lymphoid origin. In particular, the DCs of the adult mouse thymus appear to be derived from the same early, lymphoid-restricted precursor cells that generate T lymphocytes. Purified early thymic T precursors have the capacity to produce T cells, B cells, NK cells and DCs, but not myeloid cells, on transfer to irradiated recipients. They also produce thymic DCs on culture with a mix of cytokines; this mix does not include GM-CSF, needed to generate myeloid-derived DCs. A subgroup of DCs in other lymphoid organs, which like thymic DCs express CD8 as an alpha alpha homodimer, may likewise be of lymphoid origin. These CD8(+) DCs in mouse spleen differ functionally from the conventional CD8(-) DCs. CD8(+) DCs efficiently activate CD4+ T cells but then kill them via Fas ligand on the DC surface. CD8(+) DCs efficiently recruit CD8(+) T cells into the cell cycle, but their proliferation is then restricted by an inadequate production of interleukin 2. This subgroup of CD8(+) DCs therefore appears to have a regulatory role.
Publisher
JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD
Keywords
MOUSE THYMUS; PRECURSOR CELLS; BONE-MARROW; DIFFERENTIATION; PROGENITORS; PHENOTYPE; BLOOD; ALPHA
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Creation Date: 1997-01-01 12:00:00
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