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  • Distribution and Interactio...
    Hoffmann, Franziska M; Berger, Johann L; Lingel, Imke; Laumonnier, Yves; Lewkowich, Ian P; Schmudde, Inken; König, Peter

    Frontiers in immunology, 05/2018, Letnik: 9
    Journal Article

    The division of labor between pulmonary phagocytic subsets macrophage/monocyte and dendritic cell (DC) subpopulations has been described at the functional level. However, whether these lung phagocytes also display unique spatial distribution remains unclear. Here, to analyze cellular distribution in lung compartments and contacts between phagocyte subpopulations, we established an immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based method to clearly identify murine lung phagocyte subsets based on differential expression of CD11c, CD11b, MHC-II, Langerin and mPDCA-1. Furthermore, we investigated subset-specific functional differences in antigen uptake and spatial changes upon allergic sensitization. Our staining allowed the distinction between alveolar macrophages (AMs), interstitial macrophage (IM) subpopulations, CD11b DC subpopulations, CD103 DCs, and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). We identified interstitial regions between airways and around airways as regions of IM/CD11b DC/CD103 DC clusters, where a subset of IMs (IM2) and CD103 DCs formed intense contacts that decreased upon allergic sensitization. These data indicate functional interactions between both cell types either in steady state or after antigen encounter affecting the development of allergies or tolerance. Furthermore, we observed major antigen uptake in AMs and IMs rather than DC subpopulations that was not restricted to airways and adjacent areas. This will enable to focus future studies to immunologically relevant cellular interactions and to unravel which cells are tipping the balance between pro-inflammatory immune responses or tolerance.