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Normal human dermis contains distinct populations of CD11c+BDCA-1+ dendritic cells and CD163+FXIIIA+ macrophages
Lisa C. Zaba, … , James G. Krueger, Michelle A. Lowes
Lisa C. Zaba, … , James G. Krueger, Michelle A. Lowes
Published September 4, 2007
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2007;117(9):2517-2525. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI32282.
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Research Article

Normal human dermis contains distinct populations of CD11c+BDCA-1+ dendritic cells and CD163+FXIIIA+ macrophages

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Abstract

We used a panel of monoclonal antibodies to characterize DCs in the dermis of normal human skin. Staining for the CD11c integrin, which is abundant on many kinds of DCs, revealed cells in the upper dermis. These cells were positive for blood DC antigen–1 (BDCA-1; also known as CD1c), HLA-DR, and CD45, markers that are also expressed by circulating myeloid DCs. A small subset of CD11c+ dermal cells expressed DEC-205/CD205 and DC-lysosomal–associated membrane glycoprotein/CD208 (DC-LAMP/CD208), suggesting some differentiation or maturation. When BDCA-1+ cells were selected from collagenase digests of normal dermis, they proved to be strong stimulators for T cells in a mixed leukocyte reaction. A second major population of cells located throughout the dermis was positive for factor XIIIA (FXIIIA), but lacked CD11c and BDCA-1. They expressed the macrophage scavenger receptor CD163 and stained weakly for HLA-DR and CD45. Isolated CD163+ dermal cells were inactive in stimulating T cell proliferation, but in biopsies of tattoos, these cells were selectively laden with granular pigments. Plasmacytoid DCs were also present in the dermis, marked by CD123 and BDCA-2. In summary, the normal dermis contains typical immunostimulatory myeloid DCs identified by CD11c and BDCA-1, as well as an additional population of poorly stimulatory macrophages marked by CD163 and FXIIIA.

Authors

Lisa C. Zaba, Judilyn Fuentes-Duculan, Ralph M. Steinman, James G. Krueger, Michelle A. Lowes

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Figure 7

BDCA-1 and CD163 are alternative markers for CD11c and FXIIIA, respectively.

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BDCA-1 and CD163 are alternative markers for CD11c and FXIIIA, respectiv...
(A) BDCA-1 and CD163 identified discrete populations of dermal cells. (B) BDCA-1+ cells (red circle) and CD163+ cells (blue circle) were also discrete populations in dermal single-cell suspensions. (C) FACS histograms gated on BDCA-1+ cells (red line), CD163+ cells (blue line), or isotype (green line). BDCA-1+ cells were CD11chi, FXIIIAlo, HLA-DRhi, and CD45hi. CD163+ cells were CD11cmid, FXIIIAhi, HLA-DRmid, and CD45lo. (D) A subset of BDCA-1+ cells was CD86hi, CD83+, and DC-LAMPhi. Representative graphs from 3 experiments. Scale bar: 100 μm.

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