Two distinct types of Langerhans cells populate the skin during steady state and inflammation

Immunity. 2012 Nov 16;37(5):905-16. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2012.07.019.

Abstract

Langerhans cells (LCs), the dendritic cells (DCs) in skin epidermis, possess an exceptional life cycle and developmental origin. Here we identified two types of LCs, short-term and long-term LCs, which transiently or stably reconstitute the LC compartment, respectively. Short-term LCs developed from Gr-1(hi) monocytes under inflammatory conditions and occurred independently of the transcription factor Id2. Long-term LCs arose from bone marrow in steady state and were critically dependent on Id2. Surface marker and gene expression analysis positioned short-term LCs close to Gr-1(hi) monocytes, which is indicative of their monocytic origin. We also show that LC reconstitution after UV light exposure occurs in two waves: an initial fast and transient wave of Gr-1(hi) monocyte-derived short-term LCs is followed by a second wave of steady-state precursor-derived long-term LCs. Our data demonstrate the presence of two types of LCs that develop through different pathways in inflammation and steady state.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Epidermis / immunology
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Epidermis / pathology
  • Gene Expression
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2 / genetics
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2 / immunology
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2 / metabolism
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology
  • Langerhans Cells / metabolism*
  • Langerhans Cells / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Monocytes / pathology
  • Skin / cytology*
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Idb2 protein, mouse
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2
  • Transcription Factors