In Vivo Analysis of Dendritic Cell Development and Homeostasis

TLDR

Dendritic cells in lymphoid tissue arise from precursors that also generate monocytes and plasmacytoid DCs, yet the timing of lineage commitment and the identity of bone‑marrow‑derived precursors that migrate to peripheral lymphoid organs remain unclear. Further development of conventional dendritic cells requires cell division that is regulated in part by regulatory T cells and the fms‑like tyrosine kinase receptor‑3 pathway. The study shows that dendritic cell development proceeds from a macrophage/DC precursor to common DC precursors that generate plasmacytoid and classical spleen dendritic cells but not monocytes, and that committed pre‑cDCs migrate through high endothelial venules into lymph nodes, where they disperse and integrate into the dendritic cell network.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) in lymphoid tissue arise from precursors that also produce monocytes and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Where DC and monocyte lineage commitment occurs and the nature of the DC precursor that migrates from the bone marrow to peripheral lymphoid organs are unknown. We show that DC development progresses from the macrophage and DC precursor to common DC precursors that give rise to pDCs and classical spleen DCs (cDCs), but not monocytes, and finally to committed precursors of cDCs (pre-cDCs). Pre-cDCs enter lymph nodes through and migrate along high endothelial venules and later disperse and integrate into the DC network. Further cDC development involves cell division, which is controlled in part by regulatory T cells and fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3.