Plasmacytoid dendritic cells activated by influenza virus and CD40L drive a potent TH1 polarization

M Cella, F Facchetti, A Lanzavecchia, M Colonna - Nature immunology, 2000 - nature.com
Nature immunology, 2000nature.com
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are a subset of dendritic cells present in human blood
and inflamed lymph nodes. Here we show that blood PDCs, when stimulated with influenza
virus and CD40L in vitro, undergo a maturation process characterized by up-regulation of
major histocompatibility complex proteins and adhesion and costimulatory molecules. In
addition, PDCs down-regulate CXCR3 and L-selectin, which mediate migration and homing
of these cells into the lymph node. Mature PDCs efficiently stimulate T cells and drive a …
Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are a subset of dendritic cells present in human blood and inflamed lymph nodes. Here we show that blood PDCs, when stimulated with influenza virus and CD40L in vitro, undergo a maturation process characterized by up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex proteins and adhesion and costimulatory molecules. In addition, PDCs down-regulate CXCR3 and L-selectin, which mediate migration and homing of these cells into the lymph node. Mature PDCs efficiently stimulate T cells and drive a potent T H 1 polarization in vitro, which is mediated by the synergistic effect of interleukin 12 and type I interferon. In vivo, mature PDCs are found in secondary lymphoid organs, where they represent the principal source of type I interferon during inflammation. Thus, PDCs probably participate in antiviral and pro-inflammatory responses, rather than in T H 2 polarization and tolerance induction.
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