Gangliosides from human melanoma tumors impair dendritic cell differentiation from monocytes and induce their apoptosis

Gangliosides are ubiquitous membrane-associated glycosphingolipids, which are involved in cell growth and differentiation. Most tumor cells synthesize and shed large amounts of gangliosides into their microenvironment, and many studies have unraveled their immunosuppressive properties. In the present study we analyzed the effects of GM3 and GD3 gangliosides, purified from human melanoma tumors, on the differentiation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC). At concentrations close to those detected in the sera from melanoma patients, both gangliosides dose-dependently inhibit the phenotypic and functional differentiation of MoDC, as assessed by a strong down-regulation of CD1a, CD54, CD80, and CD40 Ags and impaired allostimulatory function on day 6 of culture. Furthermore, GM3 and GD3 gangliosides decreased the viable cell yield and induced significant DC apoptosis. Finally, addition of GD3 to differentiating DC impaired their subsequent maturation induced by CD154. The resulting DC produced low amounts of IL-12 and large amounts of IL-10, a cytokine pattern that might hamper an efficient antitumor immune response. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that gangliosides impair the phenotypic and functional differentiation of MoDC and induce their apoptosis, which may be an additional mechanism of human melanoma escape.

Interleukin-10 inhibits the primary allogeneic T cell response to human epidermal Langerhans cells

In this study, we analyzed the effect of interleukin-10 (IL-10) on the primary allogeneic T cell response induced by human Langerhans cells (LC), the dendritic cells from epidermis. We showed that IL-10 strongly inhibited the T cell response, provided it was added at the beginning of the mixed epidermal cell lymphocyte reaction (MELR). Proliferation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets was affected by the cytokine. An inhibitory effect of IL-10 on human LC allostimulatory function was evidenced by the fact that IL-10-preincubated LC, but not IL-10-preincubated T cells, can display inhibitory effect. LC treatment with IL-10 partially inhibited the increase of HLA-DR expression on cultured LC as the percentage of highly positive HLA-DR cells was lower than that observed in the absence of the cytokine. IL-10 inhibited T cell alloreaction induced by 2-day-cultured human LC which constitutively display high levels of HLA class II, as well as ICAM-1 and LFA-3 antigens. This suggests that the suppressive effect of the cytokine was not merely related to an impaired up-regulation of these molecules. Addition of IL-1 during the MELR potentiated the allogeneic T cell proliferation and could reverse, at least partly, the inhibitory effect of IL-10. Collectively, these data indicate that IL-10 can prevent the alloreaction induced by human dendritic cells, providing new insights into the potential clinical use of this cytokine.

Human C3 deficiency associated with impairments in dendritic cell differentiation, memory B cells, and regulatory T cells

Primary C3 deficiency, a rare autosomal inherited disease (OMIM 120700), was identified in a 2-year-old male suffering from recurrent pyogenic infections from early infancy with undetectable total complement hemolytic activity (CH50) and C3 values. The nonconsanguineous parents and the two patients' two siblings had 50% normal serum C3 concentration. The molecular abnormality associated a paternal allele coding C3 with the missense mutation p.Ser(550)Pro and an apparently null maternal allele, with production of a defective protein that could no longer be secreted. Vaccination of the child did not induce a long-term Ab response. Accordingly, switched memory IgD(-)CD27(+) B cells were barely detected, amounting to only 2.3% of peripheral blood CD19(+) cells. Cells were significantly defective in stimulating alloreactive responses. The in vitro development of immature dendritic cells and their maturation capacity were greatly impaired, with decreased CD1a expression and IL-12p70 secretion ability. These cells were unable to induce autologous B cell proliferation and Ig secretion in the presence of CD40L and C3. Finally, the regulatory T cell development ability of CD4(+) T cells after CD3 and CD46 activation in the presence of IL-2 was significantly impaired. Thus, the association of important functional defects of dendritic cells, acquisition of B cell memory, and regulatory T cells with human C3 deficiency strongly supports a major role for C3 in bridging innate and adaptive immunity in humans.

Expression and function of B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) on human epidermal Langerhans cells

In addition to T cell receptor triggering, activation of T cells requires costimulatory signals that have been shown to be mainly initiated through CD28. We analyzed the expression and function of the two ligands for CD28, B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86), on human Langerhans cells (LC), the antigen-presenting cells from epidermis. Human LC freshly isolated from epidermis (fLC) expressed significant level of B7-2, which was increased upon a short culture in vitro. In contrast, B7-1 was undetectable on fLC but appeared at the cell surface after a 3-day culture in vitro. Pre-incubation of 18-h cultured LC with anti-B7-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAB) was sufficient to abrogate the binding of CTLA4-Ig fusion protein, while a combination of both mAB against B7-1 and B7-2 was necessary to obtain a complete inhibition of CTLA4-Ig binding on 3-day cultured LC, showing the absence of a third CTLA4 ligand. The function of B7-1 and B7-2 on human LC has been analyzed by adding mAb at the beginning of mixed epidermal cell lymphocyte reactions. Anti-B7-2 mAb and CTLA4-Ig, but not anti-B7-1 mAb, strongly inhibited allogenic. as well as recall antigen-induced T cell proliferation supported by fLC or 3-day cultured LC. Collectively, these results demonstrate that B7-2 is the major ligand for CD28/CTLA4 at the LC surface and that it plays a crucial role in human LC co-stimulatory function with little, if any, dependence of B7-1 expression.

Effects of ultraviolet B radiation on human Langerhans cells: functional alteration of CD86 upregulation and induction of apoptotic cell death

We have recently reported that in vitro low dose of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB, 100-200 J per m2) directly impaired the antigen-presenting function of human Langerhans cells. In this study, we analyzed the effect of UVB irradiation on the Langerhans cells expression of several accessory molecules, namely CD54, CD80, and CD86. Langerhans cells phenotype was determined either immediately after UVB exposure (100 J per m2) or after a 2 d culture. No modification in cell surface antigen levels was observed immediately after irradiation. Prior UVB exposure did not modify the levels of CD80 at the Langerhans cells surface after a 2 d culture. In contrast, CD54 and, above all, CD86 expression were significantly decreased. Addition of exogenous anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies partly restored the allostimulatory property of irradiated Langerhans cells in mixed epidermal cell-lymphocyte reaction, demonstrating that impairment of CD86 upregulation contributes to the UVB-induced immunosuppressive effect. Furthermore, we found that UVB irradiation at 200 J per m2 significantly reduced the number of viable Langerhans cells after 2 d of culture. UVB-induced cytotoxicity was due to apoptotic cell death, as demonstrated by typical morphologic alterations and by DNA fragmentation yielding a classical ladder pattern on gel electrophoresis. Interestingly, interaction of Langerhans cells with CD40-ligand transfected L cells improved the viability of irradiated Langerhans cells, counteracted the inhibition of CD86 expression, and efficiently reduced the number of apoptotic cells after a 2 d culture. Collectively, these results demonstrate that in vitro UVB exposure affects Langerhans cells via at least two distinct pathways: (i) decreased CD86 costimulatory molecule upregulation; and (ii) induction of Langerhans cells apoptosis, a phenomenon partly prevented by CD40 triggering.

Human langerhans cells are more efficient than CD14(-)CD1c(+) dermal dendritic cells at priming naive CD4(+) T cells

Few data are available regarding the role of human skin dendritic cells (DCs) in driving T-cell responses. In this study we analyzed the relative capacity of Langerhans cells (LCs) and dermal CD14(-)CD1c(+) DCs (DDCs) to trigger naive CD4(+) T-cell proliferation and differentiation. DC subsets were purified after a 2-day migration from epidermis and dermis of the same skin sample. Migratory LCs showed far more activated phenotype than CD1c(+)DDCs and distinct expression of new molecules of the B7 family; when compared with LCs, CD1c(+)DDCs showed higher PD-L1 and lower inducible co-stimulator ligand (ICOS-L) expression. As expected, CD1c(+)DDCs showed lower allostimulatory property than LCs, a process that was partly reversed by anti-PD-L1 mAb. LCs were significantly more efficient than CD1c(+)DDCs at inducing allogeneic naive CD4(+) T cells to secrete both T helper cell 1 (Th1; IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-5) cytokines. Moreover, anti-PD-L1 mAb increased the production of IFN-gamma by both LC- and CD1c(+)DDC-stimulated T cells. Globally, these results argue for a preponderant role of human LCs in inducing naive CD4(+) T-cell priming. Low expression of co-stimulatory molecules together with high expression of PD-L1 might limit the efficiency of CD1c(+)DDCs at inducing naive CD4(+) T-cell proliferation and secretion of cytokines.

Melanoma-derived gangliosides impair migratory and antigen-presenting function of human epidermal Langerhans cells and induce their apoptosis

Gangliosides are ubiquitous, membrane-associated, glycosphingolipids, the composition and production of which is altered in many tumour cells. They have been shown to inhibit the in vitro generation and differentiation of dendritic cells (DCs) from progenitors, but their effect on human tissue-residing DCs is yet to be investigated. In the present study, we analysed the effect of GM3 and GD3 gangliosides purified from human melanoma tumours on the phenotypic and functional maturation of human epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs), the first immune barrier against the tumour cells. We showed that both gangliosides impaired spontaneous LC maturation induced by a short in vitro culture, as assessed by significant down-regulation of co-stimulation (CD40, CD54, CD80, CD86) and maturation markers (CD83, CCR7), which correlated to an impaired ability of the cells to mount allogeneic T cell proliferation. Furthermore, the ganglioside-treated cells displayed less ability to migrate towards CCL19/macrophage inflammatory protein 3 beta, the chemokine that specifically binds CCR7 and mediates LC migration to lymph nodes. Lastly, we showed that both GM3 and GD3 gangliosides enhance LC spontaneous apoptosis. Globally, these in vitro results might explain, at least in part, the altered number and distribution of LCs in melanoma-bearing patients. They underscore a new mechanism for gangliosides to impede the host immune response by inducing LC dysfunction in the tumour microenvironment.

TNF-alpha enhances phenotypic and functional maturation of human epidermal Langerhans cells and induces IL-12 p40 and IP-10/CXCL-10 production

Dendritic cells (DC) play a central role in immunity/tolerance decision, depending on their activation/maturation state. TNF-alpha is largely produced in the skin under inflammatory conditions. However, it still remains to be defined how TNF-alpha modulates the activation status of human LC, the most specialized DC controlling skin immunity. Here, we reported that fresh immature LC, highly purified from healthy human skin and exposed for two days to TNF-alpha under serum-free conditions, expressed up-regulated level of co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD54, CD86), maturation markers (CD83, DC-LAMP), CCR7 lymph node homing receptor, and down-regulated Langerin level, in a dose-dependent manner. This mature phenotype is closely associated with enhanced LC allostimulatory capacity. Furthermore, TNF-alpha significantly increased the number of viable LC and decreased their spontaneous apoptosis. More importantly, TNF-alpha induced LC to produce both IFN-gamma-inducible-protein IP-10/CXCL10, a Th1-attracting chemokine and IL-12 p40. Bioactive IL-12 p70 was never detected, even after additional CD40 stimulus. The results implicate LC as an effective target through which TNF-alpha may up- or down-regulate the inflammatory skin reactions.

Human epidermal Langerhans cells express the mannose-fucose binding receptor

Sugar receptors are being increasingly implicated in host-pathogen interactions because of their specific recognition of carbohydrates of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to identify sugar receptors expressed on the surface of human epidermal Langerhans cells (LC). To this end, binding of a panel of fluorescent neoglycoproteins to human epidermal LC was analyzed by quantitative flow cytofluorometry after standardization with calibrated beads. We demonstrate that fresh human LC are the only cells isolated from healthy epidermis which express a membrane receptor specific for fucose-bovine serum albumin (BSA) and mannose-BSA. Quantitative analysis of mannose-BSA or fucose-BSA binding showed non-linear Scatchard plots, denoting the presence of high and moderate affinity binding on the LC surface. The binding parameters of these two ligands were not significantly different. Mannan, the yeast mannose-rich polysaccharide, fucose-BSA, mannose-BSA and free fucose are strong competitors of the three known ligands of the mannose receptor, i.e. fucose-BSA, mannose-BSA and fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran. The amount of mannose-BSA and fucose-BSA bound to LC was 1.5-fold higher at 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C, suggesting an internalization process. Antibodies raised against the human macrophage mannose receptor strongly stained CD1a-positive LC but not CD1a-negative population. Taken together, our data demonstrate that fresh human LC are the only cells in the epidermis to express a fucose-mannose receptor on their surface.

Moderate skin sensitizers can induce phenotypic changes on in vitro generated dendritic cells

In the present study, we analyzed the phenotypic alterations induced by several allergens on immature dendritic cells (DC), with the aim to develop a potential in vitro alternative for predicting the sensitizing potential of chemicals. DC were generated from human monocytes cultured in the presence of GM-CSF, IL-4 and TGF-beta1 and treated for 2 or 4 days with different chemicals. Surface marker expression (HLA-DR, CD1a, CD40, CD54, CD83, CD86, CCR7 and E-cadherin) was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results showed that a 2-day treatment with the representative allergens DNCB and NiSO(4) induced significant changes of most antigens while other chemicals such as balm of Peru (strong allergen), kathon (moderate allergen), cinnamic aldehyde (mild allergen) or the irritant SLS had no significant effect. In contrast, the 4-day treatment with allergens substantially improved the results. Indeed, despite a large variability according to the donors, the number of modified antigens was significantly higher with all the tested chemicals, except kathon, as compared to that observed with the irritant SLS. The present study indicates that, in this model, the screening of mild or moderate allergens requires both the consideration of many antigens and a prolonged time of incubation with the chemicals.

Binding and in vitro modulation of human epidermal Langerhans cell functions by substance P

Substance P (SP) is distributed in both the central and peripheral nervous system. It has various effects on immunocompetent cells, such as macrophages and lymphocytes. The aim of our study was to search for the presence of SP receptors (SP-R) on human cutaneous Langerhans cells (LC), and to determine the effects of SP on LC immunological functions in a model of mixed epidermal cell-lymphocyte reaction (MELR). Radioligand binding studies showed that LC-enriched epidermal cell suspensions reversibly bound SP, and that the specific binding increased with the percentage of LC. Functional assays showed that SP had no effect when added at concentrations from 10(-6) M to 10(-12) M to the MELR. The addition of SP at concentrations of 10(-4) M and 10(-5) M was able to inhibit the allogeneic T-cell response (98.3 +/- 1.8% and 92.8 +/- 8.9% inhibition, respectively) without modifying the cell viability. This inhibition was through an effect of SP on both T-cell and LC function. We conclude that SP has receptors on LC and may inhibit antigen presentation.

Dissection of human Langerhans cells' allostimulatory function: the need for an activation step for full development of accessory function

In the present study, we analyzed the mechanism by which human Langerhans cells (LC), the dendritic cells (DC) from epidermis, support the induction of a primary allogeneic T cell response. We reported that paraformaldehyde (PF) fixation completely abrogated the stimulatory property of freshly isolated LC, although the level of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen (Ag) expression was unaltered by the fixative. Addition of either interleukin (IL)-1 beta and/or IL-6, during the mixed epidermal cell lymphocyte reaction, failed to restore the proliferative response. By contrast, when human LC were incubated for 3 days in culture medium before fixation, they retained a low but significant allostimulatory capacity. Trypsin treatment of incubated LC before fixation did not impair their function, suggesting that stimulatory activity by fixed incubated LC did not merely reflect a repair of LC membrane after trypsin trauma suffered during epidermal cell (EC) isolation. More interestingly, we found that addition of interferon-gamma during LC incubation mediated an enhanced allostimulatory activity by the PF-fixed LC. Acquisition of allostimulatory property by in vitro activated and fixed LC did not correlate with increased MHC class II Ag expression at the cell surface. By contrast, we showed that ICAM-1 Ag expression by human LC is involved in this maturation process. Finally, we found that once human LC have been activated, IL-1 beta, but not IL-6, could serve as a costimulatory factor in the primary allogeneic T cell response. In conclusion, the data suggest that human LC accessory function is not constitutive but requires an activation step which can be provided by interferon-gamma during LC-T cell interaction.

In vitro human T cell sensitization to haptens by monocyte-derived dendritic cells

We previously reported that in vitro primary sensitization of hapten-specific T cells by cultured human epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) provides an alternative approach to discriminate strong contact sensitizers from irritants (Krasteva et al., 1996; Moulon et al., 1993). However, this LC-based immunoassay was limited by the availability of human skin samples. In the present study, we used monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) to analyse the autologous proliferative T cell response to several allergens. Monocytes were purified from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and cultured for 6-8 days in the presence of GM/CSF and IL-4 and then for 2 days in the presence of GM/CSF and TNFalpha. The resulting cells exhibited the phenotype of mature DC, as assessed by the strong expression of HLA-DR, CD80, CD83 and CD86 antigens. We showed that trinitrophenyl (TNP)-treated mature DC induced a significant T cell proliferative response in all experiments, while fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) gave positive results in about half of them. The prohaptens eugenol and isoeugenol induced significant proliferation in one out of eight and in four out of 12 experiments, respectively. Interestingly, in 16 assays T cells never proliferated in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-treated DC. Thus, this in vitro model allows discrimination between strong contact sensitizers and irritants. It might be very useful, therefore, for restriction of animal experimentation.

Differential capacity of human skin dendritic cells to polarize CD4+ T cells into IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22 producing cells

Accumulating evidence suggests a contribution of T cell-derived IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22 cytokines in skin immune homeostasis as well as inflammatory disorders. Here, we analyzed whether the cytokine-producing T lymphocytes could be induced by the different subsets of human skin dendritic cells (DCs), i.e., epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs), dermal CD1c(+)CD14(-) and CD14(+) DCs (DDCs). DCs were purified following a 2-day migration from separated epidermal and dermal sheets and co-cultured with allogeneic T cells before cytokine secretion was explored. Results showed that no skin DCs could induce substantial IL-17 production by naïve CD4(+) or CD8(+)T lymphocytes whereas all of them could induce IL-17 production by memory T cells. In contrast, LCs and CD1c(+)CD14(-)DDCs were able to differentiate naïve CD4(+)T lymphocytes into IL-22 and IL-21-secreting cells, LCs being the most efficient in this process. Intracellular cytokine staining showed that the majority of IL-21 or IL-22 secreting CD4(+)T lymphocytes did not co-synthesized IFN-γ, IL-4 or IL-17. IL-21 and IL-22 production were dependent on the B7/CD28 co-stimulatory pathway and ICOS-L expression on skin LCs significantly reduced IL-21 level. Finally, we found that TGF-β strongly down-regulates both IL-21 and IL-22 secretion by allogeneic CD4(+) T cells. These results add new knowledge on the functional specialization of human skin DCs and might suggest new targets in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.

Different mechanisms are involved in apoptosis induced by melanoma gangliosides on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Tumor escape is linked to multiple mechanisms, notably the liberation, by tumor cells, of soluble factors that inhibit the function of dendritic cells (DC). We have shown that melanoma gangliosides impair DC differentiation and induce their apoptosis. The present study was aimed to give insight into the mechanisms involved. DC apoptosis was independent of the catabolism of gangliosides since lactosylceramide did not induce cell death. Apoptosis induced by GM3 and GD3 gangliosides was not blocked by inhibitors of de novo ceramide biosynthesis, whereas the acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor desipramine only prevented apoptosis induced by GM3. Furthermore, our results suggest that DC apoptosis was triggered via caspase activation, and it was ROS dependent with GD3 ganglioside, suggesting that GM3 and GD3 induced apoptosis through different mechanisms.

In vitro effects of ultraviolet B radiation on human Langerhans cell antigen-presenting function

The effects of ultraviolet B radiation (UBV) on the immune function of human epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) were studied by using the mixed epidermal cell-lymphocyte reaction (MELR). Exposure of both enriched LC suspensions (eLC, 8-20% LC) and purified LC suspensions (pLC, 70-90% LC) to increasing doses of UVB radiation (25 to 200 J/m2) decreased the proliferative T cell response in a very similar dose-dependent way, suggesting that keratinocytes did not play a major role in the UVB-induced inhibition of MELR. Supernatants from irradiated cultured eLC or pLC failed to inhibit T cell proliferation induced by untreated pLC. Furthermore, addition of irradiated eLC to untreated pLC did not affec the allogeneic T cell response. Taken together, these results provide evidence that in vitro UVB-induced immunosuppression was not mediated by inhibitory soluble factors that could affect either LC allostimulatory property or T cell proliferative response. UVB irradiation of human LC inhibited the capacity of these cells to induce CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cell proliferation. UVB-irradiated LC also induced a decreased T cell response to recall antigen or mitogen. Moreover, addition of exogeneous cytokines such as IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha, or IL-2 did not reverse the defective function of UVB-irradiated LC in MELR. The inhibitory effect of UVB radiation on human LC was not related to a decreased HLA-DR expression. Because cultured LC appeared to be less sensitive than freshly isolated LC to UVB-induced suppressive effects, the deleterious effects of UVB radiation on human LC allostimulatory properties may be associated with an impaired development of LC accessory function.

Human melanoma cells inhibit the earliest differentiation steps of human Langerhans cell precursors but failed to affect the functional maturation of epidermal Langerhans cells

Tumour-derived factors suppress differentiation and function of in vitro generated DC. Here, we investigate the effect of two melanoma clones differing in their invasive and metastatic properties on the generation and/or functional maturation of human epidermal LC. LC were generated from CD34(+) cord blood progenitors under GM-CSF/TNF-alpha/TGF-beta 1. CD34(+) cells were co-cultured with or without melanoma cells using Transwell dishes. After 11 days of co-culture, CD34(+)-derived cells display a non-adherent undifferentiated morphology, a high level of monocytic CD14 marker, a down-regulated expression of LC markers (CD1a, E-cadherin) and DC markers (CD40, CD80, CD54, CD58, CD83, CD86, HLA-DR, HLA-class I). These cells were less potent than control LC in inducing allogeneic T cell proliferation. The generation of the CD14(+) population was correlated with a decrease in the CD1a(+) population, without any statistical differences between the two clones. Melanoma cells diverted the differentiation of CD34(+) cells towards a dominant CD14(+) population only if the progenitors were in an early growth phase. IL-10, TGF-beta 1 and VEGF were not responsible for these effects, as assessed by using blocking antibodies. By contrast, co-culture of fresh epidermal LC with melanoma cells did not affect their phenotype and function. Our data demonstrate that melanoma cells inhibit the earliest steps of LC differentiation, but failed to affect the functional maturation of epidermal LC. This suggests that melanoma cells participate in their own escape from immunosurveillance by preventing LC generation in the local cutaneous microenvironment.

CD40 ligation alters the cell cycle of differentiating keratinocytes

CD40 is expressed in normal human keratinocytes, especially in the basal cell layer. We have recently reported that CD40 ligation strongly inhibits keratinocyte proliferation and induces their differentiation. In this study, the CD40 pathway that prevents keratinocyte growth was investigated. We first reported that interferon-gamma treatment potentiated the CD40-mediated inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation. CD40-CD40 ligand interactions, in the presence or absence of interferon-gamma, neither enhanced spontaneous keratinocyte apoptosis, nor did it enhance apoptosis induced by various agents. More importantly, we showed that CD40 signaling altered the keratinocyte cell cycle, as demonstrated by a decreasing number of cells in the G1 and S phases and an accumulation in G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, western blot analysis of cell cycle regulatory proteins, showed a decrease in cyclin A and E expression in CD40-activated keratinocytes. Collectively, these results indicate that CD40 ligation inhibits keratinocyte renewal by a mechanism independent of cell apoptosis and that modulation of the keratinocyte cell cycle is an additional outcome of CD40 signaling.

cis-urocanic acid failed to affect in vitro human Langerhans cell allostimulatory function

Urocanic acid (UCA) represents the major ultraviolet B (UVB, 290-320 nm)-absorbing component of the skin. Trans-UCA is naturally produced in the stratum corneum and converts to the cis isomer upon UVB irradiation. In this study, we examined the effect of purified cis-UCA (about 99% of cis isomer) on the human Langerhans cell (LC) allostimulatory function by using the mixed epidermal cell-lymphocyte reaction (MELR). We found that addition of increasing amounts (6.5-400 micrograms/mL) of purified cis-UCA or trans-UCA did not modify the T-cell response supported by enriched LC (eLC: 8-25% LC) as well as purified LC (pLC: 70-90% LC) suspensions. Because cis-UCA had no effect on the allostimulatory function of untreated LC, we investigated whether this compound could modify T-cell proliferation induced by UVB-irradiated LC. The UVB exposure of eLC or pLC to 100 J/m2 significantly inhibited the capacity of both suspensions to mount a T-cell response. However, addition of cis-UCA did not potentiate this UVB-induced immunosuppression. The eLC or pLC were then incubated with cis-UCA for 18 h at 37 degrees C and washed before adding to allogeneic T cells. The obtained proliferative response was similar to that induced by control LC incubated in medium alone, demonstrating that pretreatment with cis-UCA did not alter human LC function. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest that cis-UCA has no direct effect on human LC antigen-presenting function.

Phenotypic and functional outcome of human monocytes or monocyte-derived dendritic cells in a dermal equivalent

The dermis harbors a true dendritic cell population that could elicit primary allogeneic T cell responses in vitro and contact hypersensitivity reactions in vivo. The origin of dermal dendritic cells remains poorly understood, however. In this study, we analyzed the fate of monocytes or monocyte-derived dendritic cells in a dermal equivalent. Freshly isolated monocytes or monocytes cultured for 6 d with either GM-CSF/IL-4 or GM-CSF/IL-4/TGF-beta 1 (TGF-DC) were seeded in a collagen solution with normal human fibroblasts. The lattices were cultured for 7--14 d in the presence, or absence, of the exogenous cytokines, before phenotypic and functional studies were performed. Supply of exogenous cytokines allows the appearance of typical CD1a(+)/CD14(-)/CD68(low) dendritic cells with significant allostimulatory property, regardless of the cell type incorporated into the lattices. In cytokine-free conditions, monocytes and GM-CSF/IL-4-derived dendritic cells give rise to a CD1a(-)/CD14(+)/CD68(high) monocyte/macrophage population with no allostimulatory property. When incorporated into the lattices in the absence of exogenous cytokines the TGF-DC express few CD68 and FXIIIa. Interestingly, these cells do not all convert into the CD14(+)/CD1a(-) population. Indeed, a small HLA-DR(+)/CD1a(+)/CD14(-) subset was consistently found, which represents about one-third of the HLA-DR(+) cells. Moreover, TGF-DC recovered from the lattices after culture without cytokines do display a significant allostimulatory function. Thus, in the absence of exogenous cytokines, only Langerhans-cell-like dendritic cells can retain the typical dendritic cell features when inserted in a dermal environment. Taken together, these results may provide evidence supporting an epidermal origin of dermal dendritic cells.

Lack of demonstrable effect of cyclosporin A on human epidermal Langerhans cell function

There is controversy about whether Cyclosporin A (CsA) affects antigen-presenting cell function. Within the skin, Langerhans cells (LC) are very potent antigen-presenting cells. We investigated the effect of CsA on alloantigen presentation by human LC using the in vitro mixed skin-cell lymphocyte reaction (MSLR). MSLR (6 day cultures) were performed in round-bottomed microplates and lymphocyte proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation during the final 18 h of culture. When CsA was added into the wells a dose-dependent inhibition of T-cell proliferation occurred. Similar results were obtained when crude or LC-enriched epidermal cells (EC) were incubated for 2 h in the presence of CsA and extensively washed. The inhibition caused by CsA treatment of EC was not overcome by the addition of indomethacin. However, when CsA-treated EC were added to a fresh MSLR, T-cell proliferation was impaired. Furthermore, supernatants from CsA-treated EC, that had been kept for 6 days in culture medium, were able to inhibit the T-cell proliferative assay. These supernatants were found to contain CsA by a radioimmunoassay. From these results, it is clear that inhibition of MSLR obtained after CsA pulsing of EC suspensions can be explained by a release of the drug into the supernatant and thus by a direct effect on T cells. These findings contrast with recent reports showing a direct effect of CsA on human LC function.

A potential role for CD1a molecules on human epidermal Langerhans cells in allogeneic T-cell activation

The structural similarities of CD1a molecules to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens, as well as their expression on epidermal antigen-presenting cells suggest that CD1a molecules might be involved in the cutaneous immune response. In the present study, we investigated the effect of different anti-CD1a monoclonal antibodies (BL6, DMC1, and Na1/34) on T cell proliferation induced by allogeneic epidermal cells in vitro. A significant inhibition of the mixed skin cell-lymphocyte reaction was obtained with BL6 and DMC1 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), which recognize the same epitope on CD1a molecule. The observed inhibition could not be related to a steric hindrance of MHC class II molecules, because Na1/34 MoAb, which reacts with another epitope on CD1a molecule, had no significant effect. BL6 and DMC1 MoAb interfered with an early event of T-cell activation, as shown by a time-course study. In the presence of these MoAb, the addition of exogenous interleukin 2 did not restore T-cell proliferation. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of anti-CD1a MoAb was not mediated by a suppressor factor released by Langerhans cells (LC). These present data suggest that CD1a molecule may have an important function in self peptide presentation by human Langerhans cells.

Effects of CD40 ligation on human keratinocyte accessory function

CD40/CD40 ligand interactions are known to play a key role in the development of immune reactions, especially by enhancing the costimulatory function of professional antigen-presenting cells (APC). Little is known, however, about the role this receptor plays on occasional APC, i.e. cells that are induced to express MHC class II molecules following an inflammatory process. In this study, we used CD40 ligand-transfected cells to analyze the effect of CD40 ligation on the phenotype, as well as accessory function, of human keratinocytes. We found that CD40 ligation enhanced ICAM-1 expression and did not upregulate HLA-DR, CD80 or CD86 expression on IFN-gamma-treated keratinocytes. CD40 triggering was not sufficient to generate primary allogeneic T-cell responses even in the presence of anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Moreover, CD40 ligation, in the presence or not of IFN-gamma, did not alter the accessory function of keratinocytes in PHA- or superantigen-induced T-cell activation. The lack of effect on the T-cell response was confirmed in blocking experiments using anti-CD40 mAbs. Collectively, these results suggest that CD40-CD40 ligand interactions on nonprofessional APC may amplify the inflammatory reaction without providing a mitogenic signal to the T cells.

Evidence for modulation of human epidermal differentiation and remodelling by CD40

BACKGROUND

It is widely accepted that CD40 plays a critical role in the regulation of immune response. However, the significance of CD40 expression on normal human keratinocytes is only partially known.

OBJECTIVES

To perform a morphological re-examination of the role of CD40 on the differentiation of human keratinocytes and remodelling of the epidermis.

METHODS

Keratinocytes were grown on fibroblasts transfected with the CD40 ligand (CD40L) to investigate the formation of epidermal sheets in culture under the influence of the CD40L. Control experiments were carried out using the same cells but transfected with CD32. Further, three specific anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies were used as soluble agonists to analyse the effect of CD40 ligation on keratinocyte differentiation.

RESULTS

Epidermal sheets developing from keratinocytes cocultured with fibroblasts transfected with CD40L but not with CD32 showed an up to 50% reduction in thickness compared with control sheets. This change depended mostly on cellular flattening and a decrease in the number of cell layers, and was coincident with a transient decrease in cell surface CD40 immunoreactivity. On the other hand, normal epidermis, and freshly isolated and cultured keratinocytes revealed a predominant CD40+/Ki-67- phenotype that was demonstrated by double immunocytochemistry. Consistent with these observations, keratinocytes primed with interferon-gamma responded to the three soluble agonists, but not to control IgG1, producing immunoreactive (pro)filaggrin and displaying morphological changes in shape and size equivalent to those seen in differentiated cells.

CONCLUSIONS

As a whole, our findings provide evidence that CD40+ keratinocytes represent a poorly differentiated population, not actively engaged in the cell cycle, which under specific stimulation is committed towards terminal differentiation.