Immunoglobulins drive terminal maturation of splenic dendritic cells.

23.01.2013

Zietara N, ?yszkiewicz M, Pucha?ka J, Pei G, Gutierrez MG, Lienenklaus S, Hobeika E, Reth M, Martins dos Santos VA, Krueger A, Weiss S.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110(6):2282-7

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.             online article

Nature and physiological status of antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs), are decisive for the immune reactions. Multiple factors and cell interactions have been described that affect maturation of DCs. Here, we show that DCs arising in the absence of immunoglobulins (Ig) in vivo are impaired in cross-presentation of soluble antigen. This deficiency was due to aberrant cellular targeting of antigen to lysosomes and its rapid degradation. Function of DCs could be restored by transfer of Ig irrespective of antigen specificity and isotype. Modulation of crosspresentation by Ig was inhibited by coapplication of mannan and, thus, likely to be mediated by C-type lectin receptors. This unexpected
dependency of splenic DCs on Ig to cross-present antigen provides insights into the interplay between cellular and humoral immunity and the immunomodulatory capacity of Ig.