Enhanced epidermal Langerhans cell migration in IL-10 knockout mice

J Immunol. 1999 Jan 1;162(1):277-83.

Abstract

The migration of epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) to lymph nodes (LN) is critical in the initiation of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) responses. Studies suggest that contact allergen-induced epidermal proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 and TNF-alpha, play important roles in promoting LC migration. Contact allergens also induce epidermal anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10. Since IL-10 down-regulates proinflammatory cytokine production and inhibits CHS, we hypothesized that IL-10 might inhibit LC migration. To test this hypothesis, IL-10 knockout (KO) mice were epicutaneously sensitized with the hapten, FITC, and 24 h later hapten-bearing cells in the draining LN were examined. The number of hapten-bearing cells in the LN was significantly greater in IL-10 KO mice than in wild-type mice. The mutant mice also had an exaggerated CHS to FITC. Pretreatment with anti-TNF-alpha Ab or IL-1R antagonist significantly reduced the number of hapten-bearing cells in the LN, suggesting that IL-10 modulation of LC migration involves IL-1 and TNF-alpha. Moreover, IL-10 KO mice demonstrated a greater increase in TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and IL-1beta mRNAs in the allergen-exposed epidermis, and keratinocytes derived from the mutant mice were able to produce higher amounts of TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha protein. These data suggest that IL-10 plays an inhibitory role in LC migration and that this effect may occur via the down-regulation of TNF-alpha and IL-1 production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Movement / immunology*
  • Dermatitis, Contact / genetics
  • Dermatitis, Contact / immunology
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Epidermis / immunology*
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / administration & dosage
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / metabolism
  • Haptens / administration & dosage
  • Haptens / immunology
  • Immune Sera / administration & dosage
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-1 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-1 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / deficiency*
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-10 / pharmacology
  • Keratinocytes / drug effects
  • Keratinocytes / immunology
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology*
  • Langerhans Cells / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / genetics
  • Sialoglycoproteins / administration & dosage
  • Sialoglycoproteins / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Haptens
  • Il1rn protein, mouse
  • Immune Sera
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-1
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1
  • Sialoglycoproteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-10
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate