Lymph borne CD8α⁺ DCs are uniquely able to cross-prime CD8⁺ T cells with antigen acquired from intestinal epithelial cells

Cerovic, V. et al. (2014) Lymph borne CD8α⁺ DCs are uniquely able to cross-prime CD8⁺ T cells with antigen acquired from intestinal epithelial cells. Mucosal Immunology, 8(1), pp. 38-48. (doi: 10.1038/mi.2014.40)

Abstract

Cross-presentation of cellular antigens is crucial for priming CD8⁺ T cells, and generating immunity to intracellular pathogens—particularly viruses. It is unclear which intestinal phagocytes perform this function in vivo. To address this, we examined dendritic cells (DCs) from the intestinal lymph of IFABP-tOVA 232-4 mice, which express ovalbumin in small intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Among lymph DCs (LDCs) only CD103⁺ CD11b⁻ CD8α⁺ DCs cross-present IEC-derived ovalbumin to CD8⁺ OT-I T cells. Similarly, in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), cross-presentation of IEC–ovalbumin was limited to the CD11c⁺ MHCII^hi CD8α⁺ migratory DCs, but absent from all other subsets, including the resident CD8α^hi DCs. Crucially, delivery of purified CD8α⁺ LDCs, but not other LDC subsets, into the MLN subcapsular lymphatic sinus induced proliferation of ovalbumin-specific, gut-tropic CD8⁺ T cells <i>in vivo</i>. Finally, in 232-4 mice treated with R848, CD8α⁺ LDCs were uniquely able to cross-prime interferon γ-producing CD8⁺T cells and drive their migration to the intestine. Our results clearly demonstrate that migrating CD8α⁺ intestinal DCs are indispensable for cross-presentation of cellular antigens and, in conditions of inflammation, for the initial differentiation of effector CD8⁺ T cells. They may therefore represent an important target for the development of antiviral vaccinations.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Milling, Professor Simon and Utriainen, Dr Lotta and Mowat, Professor Allan and Cerovic, Dr Vuk and Bain, Mr Calum and Agace, Prof William
• Authors: Cerovic, V., Houston, S., Utriainen, L., Westlund, J., Davison, E., Scott, C., Bain, C., Joeris, T., Agace, W., Kroczek, U., Mowat, A., Yrlid, R., and Milling, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Mucosal Immunology
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 1933-0219
• ISSN (Online): 1935-3456
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Mucosal Immunology
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Related URLs

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Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
61812	1	The Functions of Migrating Intestinal Dendritic Cells in Tolerance and Immunity.	Simon Milling	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MR/K021095/1	III -IMMUNOLOGY