CD11c depletion severely disrupts Th2 induction and development in vivo

Phythian-Adams, A.T. et al. (2010) CD11c depletion severely disrupts Th2 induction and development in vivo. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 207(10), pp. 2089-2096. (doi: 10.1084/jem.20100734)

Abstract

Although dendritic cells (DCs) are adept initiators of CD4+ T cell responses, their fundamental importance in this regard in Th2 settings remains to be demonstrated. We have used CD11c–diphtheria toxin (DTx) receptor mice to deplete CD11c+ cells during the priming stage of the CD4+ Th2 response against the parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni. DTx treatment significantly depleted CD11c+ DCs from all tissues tested, with 70–80% efficacy. Even this incomplete depletion resulted in dramatically impaired CD4+ T cell production of Th2 cytokines, altering the balance of the immune response and causing a shift toward IFN-γ production. In contrast, basophil depletion using Mar-1 antibody had no measurable effect on Th2 induction in this system. These data underline the vital role that CD11c+ antigen-presenting cells can play in orchestrating Th2 development against helminth infection in vivo, a response that is ordinarily balanced so as to prevent the potentially damaging production of inflammatory cytokines.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Barr, Dr Tom
• Authors: Phythian-Adams, A.T., Cook, P.C., Lundie, R.J., Jones, L.H., Smith, K.A., Barr, T.A., Hochweller, K., Anderton, S.M., Hammerling, G.J., Maizels, R.M., and MacDonald, A.S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Experimental Medicine
• Publisher: Rockefeller University Press
• ISSN: 0022-1007