Characterization of Langerin-Expressing Dendritic Cell Subsets in the Normal Cornea

Abstract

The normal corneal epithelium is endowed with CD11c(+) Langerin+ cells that are LCs, whereas the stroma is endowed with a separate population of (non-LC) Langerin+ DCs. These findings should henceforth facilitate the examination of Langerin-expressing DC subsets in the immunopathogeneses of conditions such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, allergic keratoconjunctivitis, and corneal allograft rejection.

Distinct Murine Mucosal Langerhans Cell Subsets Develop from Pre-dendritic Cells and Monocytes

“…Overall, whereas monocytes and pre-DCs are expected to give rise to vaginal LCs, their terminal differentiation, as well as the LC:VEDC ratio, is shaped by intrinsic signals of the vaginal epithelium. With regard to the cornea, a recent study confirmed the presence of LCs in the epithelium; yet, these LCs have been shown to have a unique CD11b lo CD103 lo phenotype (Hattori et al, 2011). Similar to vaginal mucosal cells, only a small fraction of corneal epithelial antigen-presenting cells are LCs, and we show here that about 30% of the latter originate from LysM precursors.…”

“…Similar to vaginal mucosal cells, only a small fraction of corneal epithelial antigen-presenting cells are LCs, and we show here that about 30% of the latter originate from LysM precursors. In addition, analogous to langerin-expressing cells in the skin, corneal LCs but not sub-mucosal langerin + DCs have been shown to be absent in langerin-DTA mice (Hattori et al, 2011;Kaplan et al, 2005). This suggests that corneal LCs might arise from both embryonic and circulating precursors, perhaps because of the unique status of the cornea as an immune-privileged site, an issue that will require further investigation.…”

Dendritic Cell–Epithelium Interplay Is a Determinant Factor for Corneal Epithelial Wound Repair

“…Moreover, although this study is primarily focused on intraepithelial DCs, it is plausible that s.c. DT may also cause the depletion of stromal DCs that have recently been shown to be morphologically and functionally different from intraepithelial DCs. 10 Nevertheless, our results clearly demonstrate an important regulatory role of DCs (intraepithelial and/or stromal) in controlling the function of PMNs in the cornea. Further study to define the roles of DC subtypes in corneal epithelial wound healing, including the use of Langerhans cellspecific depletion via s.c. administration of DT to Langerin DTR mice, 10 is warranted.…”

“…10 Nevertheless, our results clearly demonstrate an important regulatory role of DCs (intraepithelial and/or stromal) in controlling the function of PMNs in the cornea. Further study to define the roles of DC subtypes in corneal epithelial wound healing, including the use of Langerhans cellspecific depletion via s.c. administration of DT to Langerin DTR mice, 10 is warranted. In conclusion, our study revealed that corneal epithelial cells actively participate in the regulation of DC migration, infiltration, and activation in the cornea in response to wounding.…”

“…6 In the cornea, it is increasingly clear that, although macrophages only occupy the posterior stroma, DCs reside in both the stroma and the epithelium, both with phenotypically different subtypes. [7][8][9][10] In corneal epithelium stratified with five to seven layers of cells, DCs residing at the basal epithelial layer are more numerous in the peripheral than in the central cornea. 11 Some of the DCs at the central cornea insert processes between epithelial cells, and these processes might sample antigens from the environment.…”