Abstract
The pivotal role of TGF-beta in Langerhans cell (LC) development has been previously established in TGF-beta-deficient mice, which lack epidermal LCs. As to whether TGF-beta also governs LC homeostasis and function remains elusive. To assess the role of TGF-beta-mediated control of cutaneous dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo, we generated mice with a conditional knockout of the TGF-beta receptor 1 (T beta R1) under a DC-specific promoter (DC-T beta R1(del) mice). While initial LC seeding occurred in DC-T beta R1(del) mice, the cells disappeared from the epidermis during the first week of life. T beta R1-deficient LCs demonstrated spontaneous maturation and gained migratory potential based on increased surface expression of MHC class II, costimulatory molecules, and CCR7 and downregulation of E-cadherin. In parallel to their early loss from the epidermis, migrating LCs were reduced in the dermis and skin-draining lymph nodes of adult DC-T beta R1(del) mice, whereas the number of Langerin(+) dermal DCs was similar to wild-type. In the absence of LCs, low-dose contact hypersensitivity in DC-T beta R1(del) mice was significantly diminished. In contrast, ear swelling was restored to wild-type levels when a higher hapten dose was applied to efficiently target T beta R1-deficient dermal DCs. In conclusion, TGF-beta inhibits in vivo LC maturation and migratory phenotype, identifying TGF-beta as a critical factor controlling LC homeostasis in the steady state. The Journal of Immunology, 2010, 185: 3248-3255.
Original language | Undefined/Unknown |
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Pages (from-to) | 3248-3255 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 185 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Research programs
- EMC MM-02-72-01