Anti-CD207 Monoclonal antibody, clone SNVM.3 [Alexa Fluor® 488]

P>To investigate the phenotypic and migrational properties of oral mucosal dendritic cells (OMDCs), fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was painted onto mouse buccal mucosa and the expression patterns of functional molecules in FITC-bearing migrating DCs within the regional lymph nodes (RLNs) were analysed. We found three distinct subpopulations of migrating OMDCs within the RLNs: CD11c(hi) CD207(-) (F1), CD11c(int/lo) CD207(-) (F2) and CD11c(int/lo) CD207(+) (F3). The F1 DCs reached the RLNs earlier (after 24 hr) but diminished immediately. Additionally, F1 DCs expressed high levels of CD11b. The F2 DCs migrated continuously to the RLNs and maintained the highest ratio of all three fractions. The F3 DCs migrated slowly to the RLNs and demonstrated a late peak at 96 hr. In addition, F3 DCs showed the highest CD205 expression levels of all three subsets. All fractions of migrating OMDCs expressed CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex class II at high levels, suggesting that all OMDCs are in a mature stage and have the potential for antigen presentation. All migrating OMDCs lacked CD8 alpha expression. Taken together, our results indicate that the lack of CD207 is one factor that identifies submucosal DCs. Both F1 and F2 DCs lack CD207; F1 DCs are resident and F2 DCs are newly recruited following FITC application. The F3 DCs, which express CD207, are mucosal Langerhans cells that migrate later. The identification of OMDC subsets should facilitate further studies investigating the functional roles of each fraction.

Cutaneous accessory cells include dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. Heterogeneity, plasticity, and responsiveness to local environmental cues are hallmarks of both types of cells. Until recently, results of studies of cells that had been extracted from tissues or propagated in vitro provided the foundation for most conceptual frameworks. The availability of a variety of spontaneously occurring and genetically engineered mice has facilitated in vivo studies that have provided new insights into the developmental and functional aspects of DCs in skin and other tissues. In several instances, results of these in vivo studies have been very surprising. Existing paradigms have been modified or debunked, and new hypotheses have been generated. We can anticipate that detailed understanding of the biology of individual cutaneous accessory cells and their relationships with each other will continue to accumulate as these types of studies are actively pursued.