The skin environment controls local dendritic cell differentiation and function through innate IL-13

ABSTRACT

The signals driving the adaptation of type-2 dendritic cells (DC2s) to diverse peripheral environments are not well understood. We show that the development of CD11b^low migratory DC2s, a DC2 population unique to the dermis, requires STAT6- and KLF4-dependent IL-13 signaling, whereas DC2s in lung and small intestine are STAT6-independent. Dermal IL-13 is mostly derived from innate lymphoid cells expressing a resting ICOS+ KLRG1-ST2-phenotype. Analysis of public datasets indicates that human skin DC2s also express an IL-4/IL-13 gene signature compared to blood or spleen, suggesting a similar developmental pathway in mice and humans. In the absence of IL-13 signaling, dermal DC2s are stable in number but remain CD11b^hi and show defective activation in response to allergen with diminished ability to support IL-4+ GATA3+ Th development, whereas anti-fungal IL-17+ RORγt+ responses are increased. Thus, steady-state IL-13 fosters a non-inflammatory and pro-allergic environment in healthy skin via conditioning of local DC2s.