Publication Date:
2012-07-11
Description:
Dendritic cells (DCs) are composed of multiple subsets that play a dual role in inducing immunity and tolerance. However, it is unclear how CD205+ conventional DCs (cDCs) control immune responses in vivo. Here we generated knock-in mice with the selective conditional ablation of CD205+ cDCs. CD205+ cDCs contributed to antigen-specific priming of CD4+ T cells under steady-state conditions, whereas they were dispensable for antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell responses under inflammatory conditions. In contrast, CD205+ cDCs were required for antigen-specific priming of CD8+ T cells to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) mediated through cross-presentation. Although CD205+ cDCs were involved in the thymic generation of CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), they maintained the homeostasis of CD4+ Tregs and CD4+ effector T cells in peripheral and mucosal tissues. On the other hand, CD205+ cDCs were involved in the inflammation triggered by Toll-like receptor ligand as well as bacterial and viral infections. Upon microbial infections, CD205+ cDCs contributed to the cross-priming of CD8+ T cells for generating antimicrobial CTLs to efficiently eliminate pathogens, whereas they suppressed antimicrobial CD4+ T-cell responses. Thus, these findings reveal a critical role for CD205+ cDCs in the regulation of T-cell immunity and homeostasis in vivo.
Print ISSN:
0027-8424
Electronic ISSN:
1091-6490
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
,
Natural Sciences in General
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