The JI
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     
 


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Maestroni, G. J. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Maestroni, G. J. M.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
The Journal of Immunology, 2000, 165: 6743-6747.
Copyright © 2000 by The American Association of Immunologists

Dendritic Cell Migration Controlled by {alpha}1b-Adrenergic Receptors1

Georges J. M. Maestroni2

Center for Experimental Pathology, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, Locarno, Switzerland


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Dendritic cells (DC) bring Ags into lymphoid organs via lymphatic vessels. In this study, we investigated the possibility that the sympathetic neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) influences DC migration. Murine epidermal Langerhans cells mobilization is enhanced by systemic treatment with the {alpha}2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine and inhibited by local treatment with the specific {alpha}1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin (PRA). Consistently, NE enhances spontaneous emigration of DC from ear skin explants, and PRA inhibits this effect. In addition, local treatment with PRA during sensitization with FITC inhibits the contact hypersensitivity response 6 days later. In vitro, bone marrow-derived immature, but not CD40-stimulated mature DC migrate in response to NE, and this effect is neutralized by PRA. NE seems to exert both a chemotactic and chemokinetic activity on immature DC. Coherently, immature, but not mature DC, express mRNA coding for the {alpha}1b-adrenergic receptor subtype. Inactivation of this adrenergic receptor by the specific and irreversible antagonist chloroethylclonidine hinders the migration of injected DC from the footpad to regional lymph nodes. Thus, besides regulating lymph flow, the sympathetic innervation of lymphatic vessels may participate in directing DC migration from the site of inflammation to regional lymph nodes. Alternatively, the chemokinetic activity of NE may enhance the ability of DC to sample local Ags, and hence increase the number of DC migrating to the draining lymph nodes. This finding might improve our understanding of the biological basis of skin diseases and allergic reactions, and opens new pharmacological possibilities to modulate the immune response.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Dendritic cells (DC)3 are a trace population of bone marrow-derived APCs, irregular in shape and widely distributed in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues (1, 2). Those having migrated to nonlymphoid tissues such as the epidermal layer of the skin, the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, and interstitial regions of solid organs are considered immature. On the contrary, fully mature DC are located in lymphoid organs. After Ag internalization and inflammation, DC leave the tissues interfacing with the external environment and enter the lymphatic vessels to reach the lymphoid organs and undergo maturation (1, 2, 3). Although still immature, the primary function of DC is to capture and process Ags, then to present the antigenic peptides and activate specific T cells (1, 2). In fact, DC have adhesion molecules to ensure T cell contact, high surface levels of MHC II molecules for peptide presentation, and costimulatory molecules such as CD80-B7-1 and CD86-B7-2. T cells may in turn induce DC maturation via CD40 binding (1, 2). The ability of DC to migrate from areas of Ag encounter to sites of T cell priming is fundamental to their capacity of stimulating an immune response; however, how DC know where to go is still rather obscure. The major route of DC entry into lymph nodes are the afferent lymphatic vessels (3, 4). Chemokines expressed by endothelial cells in lymphatics and lymph node venules and chemokine receptors in DC seem to contribute to DC migration as chemoattractants and by triggering integrin-dependent adhesive interactions (4, 5, 6). However, the primary force that drives DC displacement is the lymphatic circulation. Lymph flow is regulated by spontaneous contraction of lymphatic vessel smooth muscle that in turn is stimulated by sympathetic nerves and adrenergic receptors (ARs) (7). The AR mediate the functional effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine (NE) by coupling to several of the major signaling pathways modulated by G proteins. The AR family includes nine different gene products: three ß 1, ß2, ß3), three {alpha}2 ({alpha}2A, {alpha}2B, {alpha}2C), and three {alpha}1 ({alpha}1a, {alpha}1b, {alpha}1d) receptor subtypes. The {alpha}1-ARs are present in several tissues, including brain, heart, blood vessels, liver, kidney, prostate, and spleen, where they mediate a variety of physiological effects such as cardiac inotropy and chronotropy, vasocontraction, glycogenolysis, and the contractions of the urinary tract (8). On the other hand, the interaction between sympathetic nerves and cells of the immune system has been demonstrated in terms of distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive fibers in lymphoid organs, expression of ARs on cells of the immune system, and immunomodulatory effects of the main sympathetic neurotransmitter NE (9, 10, 11). We reported that catecholamines can also exert important hemopoietic effects via {alpha}1-ARs expressed in bone marrow progenitor cells (12, 13, 14, 15, 16). Relevant to the present study, NE has been shown to stimulate lymphoid cell mobilization via ß-ARs (17).


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Mice

Female 2- to 3-mo-old C57BL/6 or C3H/He inbred mice were purchased from Charles River Breeding Laboratories (Calco, Italy) and maintained in our animal room under a standard 12-h photoperiod, at 21 ± 1°C, with food and water ad libitum for at least 10 days before the experiments.

DC cultures

Bone marrow-derived DC were generated according to a recently described method with minor modifications (18). Briefly, bone marrow cells were collected from the long bones; suspended (2 x 106 cells/ml) in RPMI 1640, 25 mM HEPES, 10% FCS, 50 µM 2-ME, 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 IU/ml penicillin, 100 µg/ml streptomycin, and 20 ng/ml GM-CSF (PeproTech, Rocky Hill, NJ); and incubated in 100-mm-diameter bacteriological petri dishes. At day 3, 10 ml of complete culture medium was added to the plates. At days 6 and 8, half of the culture supernatant was collected and centrifuged, and the cell pellet was resuspended in 10 ml of complete culture medium and given back to the original plate. At day 10, cells were collected, layered onto a metrizamide gradient (14.5 g in 100 ml of RPMI 1640 culture medium), and centrifuged for 10 min at 600 x g. Then the low-density cell fraction was depleted from lymphocytes and GR-1+ cells using a mixture of mAbs and rabbit complement for 60 min at 37°C. The mAbs used were anti-CD4, TIB 207 GK1.5; anti-CD8, TIB 2109 2.43; and anti-B220, TIB 146 RAB-BA1/61 (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA). GR-1 mAb was purchased from PharMingen (Basel, Switzerland). After depletion, cells were washed and analyzed by flow cytometry. Cells showing a typical dendritic morphology were always >90%, whereas the DC marker CD11c was invariably found on >95% of the cells. High expression of major histocompatibility class II Ags and of the costimulatory molecule CD86 (B7-2), typical of mature DC, was expressed by 25–30% of the cells. In general, cell yield and degree of maturation agreed with the reported method (18).

Flow cytometry

DC were washed and 5 x 105 cells/sample were incubated for 30 min at 4°C with saturating concentrations of PE- or FITC-conjugated mAbs. After further washings, the cells were analyzed with single or two-color immunofluorescence by flow cytometry (FACScan; Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, CA). Ten thousand cells were analyzed per sample with the gate set around the cluster of large cells. Negative controls included cells incubated with FITC- or PE-labeled isotype-matched, unrelated mAb.

In vivo migration of epidermal Langerhans cells

Mice were painted on the shaved back with 50 µl of 1% FITC (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) dissolved in a 50:50 (v/v) acetone-dibutylphtalate mixture. Twenty-four hours after painting with FITC in the presence or absence of 10 µM prazosin (PRA; Sigma) or 10 µM propranolol (Sigma), the mice were killed and single-cell suspensions were prepared from inguinal, axillary, and brachial lymph nodes. Other groups of mice were injected i.p. with yohimbine (5 mg/kg body weight; Sigma) or phosphate saline just after FITC painting. Lymph nodes were incubated in collagenase A (0.5 mg/ml; Boehringer Mannheim, Rot Kreuz, Switzerland) and DNase I (40 µg/ml; Perkin-Elmer, Rot Kreuz, Switzerland)) for 10 min at 37°C. Afterward, the tissue was teased and cells were filtered through a 70-µm cell strainer (Falcon; Becton Dickinson). Cells were washed and layered onto a metrizamide gradient (14.5 g in 100 ml RPMI 1640 culture medium) and centrifuged for 10 min at 600 x g. Cells at the interface were collected, washed, and labeled with PE-conjugated anti-CD86 (PharMingen) mAb and analyzed by flow cytometry. Cells labeled with both FITC and PE were quantitated as migrated Langerhans cells.

Skin organ culture

Ears from mice were rinsed with 70% ethanol and air dried for 10 min. Ear skin was split in dorsa and ventral halves, and the dorsal halves were cultured in a 24-well tissue culture plate in 2 ml of RPMI 1640, 10% FCS, 2 mM glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin, and 100 µg/ml streptomycin. Adrenergic agents were added at the beginning of the culture. After 24 h, the ear halves were removed and free cells were collected, centrifuged, and counted in trypan blue. DC were identified morphologically as large veiled cells.

Assay for contact hypersensitivity (CHS) to FITC

Mice were sensitized by painting 400 ml of 0.5% FITC with or without the adrenergic antagonists (PRA, 10 µM; propranolol, 10 µM) on the shaved trunk, and 6 days later were challenged by applying 20 µl of 0.5% FITC on the dorsal and ventral sides of the right ear. As a control, the left ear was painted with an identical amount of vehicle (acetone-dibutylphtalate, 1:1). The CHS response was determined by measuring the degree of ear swelling of the FITC-painted ear compared with that of the vehicle-treated contralateral ear at 24 h after challenge using a digital micrometer (Mitutoyo, Kawasaki, Japan). The results were expressed as net ear swelling, which was calculated by subtracting the thickness of the vehicle-treated ear from the thickness of the FITC-challenged ear.

In vitro migration

Cell migration was evaluated in vitro using a chemotaxis chamber technique. A total of 27 µl of a chemoattractant solution containing NE (Sigma), isoproterenol (Sigma), the chemokines 6Ckine and RANTES (R&D Systems, Abingdon, U.K.), or control medium RPMI 1640 and 1% FCS were added to the lower wells of a chemotactic chamber (Neuroprobe, Gaithersburg, MD). A polycarbonate filter (5-µm pore size; Neuroprobe) was layered onto the wells and covered with a silicon gasket and a top plate. A total of 50 µl of cell suspension (1.5 x 106 cells/ml) was seeded in the upper chamber. In certain experiments, NE or PRA was added in the upper wells along with DC. The chamber was incubated at 37°C for 90 min. At the end of the incubation, filters were removed and stained with Diff-Quick (Dade Behring, Düdingen, Switzerland), and high-power fields (x100) were counted. Results are expressed as the mean number of migrated cells in 10 fields.

CD40-induced maturation

For CD40 cross-linking, DC were incubated in ice for 10 min in phosphate saline plus 10% mouse serum for 20 min with hamster anti-mouse CD40 mAb (5 µg/ml; PharMingen) and then overnight at 37°C with goat anti-hamster Abs (Pierce, Rockford, IL) in IMEM plus 10% FCS. Morphometric and flow cytometry analysis showed that >95% of CD40-stimulated cells were mature DC.

RT-PCR

Total RNA isolated from 5 x 106 cells was reverse transcribed using 400 U of SuperScript RT (Life Technologies, Basel, Switzerland) and 40 U of RNase inhibitor (Perkin-Elmer, Rot Kreuz, Switzerland) in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3), 75 mM KCl, 3 mM MgCl2, 10 µM dithyotretol, 60 µM random hexamers, 4.3 µM polyT(16, 17, 18), and 500 µM of each deoxynucleotide were added, and the mix was incubated for 1 h at 37°C. cDNA amplification was performed in 50 mM KCl, 10 mM Tris (pH 8.6), 1.5 mM MgCl2, 250 µM deoxynucleotides, 0.5 µM primers (Genset, Paris, France), and 2.5 U of AmpliTaq polymerase (Perkin-Elmer). Forty cycles of PCR were performed according to the following steps: 94°C, 4 min (once); 94°C, 2 min; 46°C, 1 min; and 72°C, 2 min. At the end, the reaction mixture was kept for 10 min at 72°C and finally chilled in ice until analysis. For selection of the primers, we referred to the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. The primers sequence is reported, as follows: {alpha}1a, upstream, 5'-CCTGGTTATGTACTGTCGAGTCTAC-3', and downstream, 5'-TATGATAGGGTTGATGCAACTATTT-3'; {alpha}1b, upstream, 5'-CCAACCAACTACTTCATTGTCA-3', and downstream, 5'- GCCAACATAAGATGAACATTCC-3'; and {alpha}1d, upstream, 5'- CTTCTCTTCCGTATGCTCCTTCTA-3', and downstream, 5'- GGGTTCACACAGCTATTGA AGTAG-3'.

The RNA quality was controlled by amplifying hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase mRNA using the following oligonucleotides as primers: upstream, 5'-GATTATGGACAGGACTGAAAG-3' and downstream, 5'- CGAGAGGTCCTTTTCACCAGC-3'.

In vivo migration of passively transferred DC

I-Ab DC were incubated with chloroethylclonidine (10 µM; Sigma) for 30 min at 37°C or with culture medium alone. After washing, 5 x 105 cells in 50 µl were then injected s.c. into the hind footpads of I-Ak mice. Forty-eight hours after injection, the mice were killed, and the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes were removed. Single-cell suspensions of lymph node cells were centrifuged on a metrizamide gradient, and the low-density DC fraction was harvested. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to detect I-Ab-positive cells.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Langerhans cells migration

We studied whether NE participates in determining the emigration pathway of skin DC such as epidermal Langerhans cells. We used the fluorescent molecule FITC as an Ag to induce migration of Langerhans cells to regional lymph nodes. Mice were painted with FITC on the back after shaving, and the effect of adrenergic agents was evaluated in terms of the number of cells positive for both FITC and CD86 (B7-2) found 24 h later in the draining lymph nodes. The results obtained show that topical application of the {alpha}1-adrenergic antagonist PRA, but not the ß-adrenergic antagonist propranolol inhibited migration of Langerhans cells to the draining lymph nodes (Fig. 1Go). In addition, the i.p. injection of yohimbine, an {alpha}2-adrenergic antagonist that increases the noradrenergic tone, resulted in a significant increase of migrated Langerhans cells. Altogether these results suggest that NE is involved in skin DC migration via {alpha}1-ARs.



View larger version (43K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 1. Effect of adrenergic antagonists on Langerhans cells migration. The mean values plus the SD of migrated epidermal Langerhans cells after FITC painting of the skin and treatment with adrenergic antagonists are shown. Data are from five experiments (15 mice/group). a, p < 0.01, ANOVA.

 
Emigration of skin DC in organ cultures

A strong stimulation of DC emigration from dorsal halves of ear skin was noted when NE was added in the culture medium. On average, a 3-fold increase of migrated DC was found in the presence of NE, and a 4-fold increase was found using the chemokine 6Ckine as positive control (Table IGo). As expected, the {alpha}1-AR antagonist PRA inhibited the NE effect (Table IGo). These results confirmed that NE can mobilize skin DC via {alpha}1-ARs.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table I. Effect of NE in the emigration of DC from skin explantsa

 
CHS response to FITC

To investigate whether the adrenergic inhibition of skin DC migration in vivo results in an altered development of DC-dependent immune response, we measured the CHS response to FITC after sensitization in presence of either PRA or propranolol. Fig. 2Go shows that PRA, but not propranolol treatment during sensitization inhibited the CHS response expressed as net ear swelling after FITC challenge 6 days later. This indicated that the PRA-induced inhibition of DC migration resulted in a reduced sensitization to FITC.



View larger version (31K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 2. Effect of adrenergic antagonists on the CHS response to FITC. Mice (n = 7/group) were sensitized with FITC the in presence or absence of adrenergic antagonists, and 6 days later were challenged on the right ear. The left ear was painted with vehicle as a control. The mean values plus the SD of the net ear swelling are reported. The CHS response was significantly lower in mice sensitized with FITC in the presence of PRA. a, p < 0.02, ANOVA.

 
In vitro DC migration

To study in greater detail the possibility that NE is involved in DC migration, we set up experiments in a chemotaxis microchamber using NE or the synthetic ß-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol as chemoattractants. Fig. 3Go shows that NE, but not isoproterenol, is indeed a powerful chemoattractant for bone marrow-derived DC. The DC generated from bone marrow cultures were heterogeneous for their expression of MHC class II and B7-2, i.e., for their degree of maturation. With this cell population containing immature DC, NE 10-6 M (319.3 ng/ml) exerted a chemotactic activity that was intermediate in comparison with those exerted by RANTES (100 ng/ml) and the secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine 6Ckine (120 ng/ml), which has been recently suggested to play a role in migration and homing of mature DC (19). Consistently, 6Ckine was highly chemotactic, with DC brought to maturation by CD40 stimulation, while NE apparently did not attract mature DC (Fig. 3Go). In line with the results obtained in vivo and with the lack of effect of isoproterenol, PRA neutralized the chemotactic effect of NE (Fig.> 3).



View larger version (36K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 3. NE-mediated chemotaxis. Data are from seven experiments. Medium, NE, isoproterenol (ISO) RANTES, and 6Ckine were added in the lower wells of the chemotactic chamber. PRA was added along with DC in the upper wells. DC harvested by bone marrow cultures or after CD40 stimulation (CD40) were seeded in the upper wells.

 
Checkerboard analysis revealed that not only is NE a chemoattractant for DC, but it may also induce chemokinesis (Fig. 4Go). When seeded in the upper chamber together with the cells, NE prevented spontaneous (control) migration, but not the chemotactic activity of RANTES (Fig. 4Go). However, although less than toward a NE gradient (NE in lower wells only), DC also migrated in a constant NE concentration (10-6 M NE both in the upper and lower wells; Fig. 4Go). These results indicate that NE is both a chemoattractant and a chemokinetic factor for immature, but not for mature DC.



View larger version (32K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 4. Checkerboard analysis. NE was added either in the lower wells (L), in the upper wells along with bone marrow-derived DC (U), or in both. RANTES was added in the lower wells only.

 
Expression of {alpha}1-ARs in DC

The PRA sensitivity of DC migration and the lack of effect of ß-adrenergic agents both in vivo and in vitro imply the participation of {alpha}1-ARs. This type of AR has been indeed reported to mediate the effect of catecholamines on lymphatic vessels (20). However, our studies suggest that DC may likewise express {alpha}1-ARs. To elucidate this point, we investigated the presence of mRNA coding for the three {alpha}1-AR subtypes (a, b, and d) in bone marrow-derived DC before and after CD40 stimulation. RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of the {alpha}1b-AR mRNA in bone marrow-derived DC. Apparently, the other two {alpha}1-AR subtypes were not expressed (Fig. 5Go). The {alpha}1b-AR mRNA expression was, however, almost undetectable in DC stimulated by anti-CD40 Abs (Fig. 5Go). This is most likely the reason that NE does not attract mature CD40-stimulated DC (Fig. 3Go). Presumably, the {alpha}1b-AR is expressed in an immature fraction of bone marrow-derived DC. This would agree also with the in vivo effect of PRA on epidermal Langerhans cells (Fig. 1Go) that are considered immature DC (21).



View larger version (46K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 5. RT-PCR of {alpha}1-AR genes in immature and mature DC. Immature DC are intended DC just harvested from bone marrow cultures; mature DC are DC after CD40 stimulation. Murine brain is used as positive control. M, molecular weight markers; N, negative control (no RNA); lanes 1–4, hypoxanthine-phosphoribosyltransferase of immature DC (lane 1) and brain (lane 3), expected size 390 bp; lanes 2 and 4, mock controls (no reverse transcriptase); 5, 6, {alpha}1a-AR in immature DC and brain, respectively, expected size 375 bp; lanes 7 and 8, {alpha}1b-AR in immature DC and brain, expected size 687 bp; lanes 9 and 10, {alpha}1d-AR in immature DCand brain, expected size 428 bp; lanes 10 and 11, {alpha}1b-AR in mature DC and brain. The specificity of the PCR products was controlled by Southern blotting and hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled specific probes (data not shown).

 
Migration of adoptively transferred DC

To further investigate the role of DC {alpha}1b-AR in vivo, we performed experiments in which bone marrow-derived I-Ab-positive (C57BL/6) DC were preincubated with the irreversible and selective {alpha}1b-AR antagonist chloroethylclonidine and then injected into the hind footpads of I-Ak (C3H/He) mice. Forty-eight hours after injection, the number of I-Ab-positive DC that migrated to the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes were evaluated by flow cytometry. Table IIGo shows that incubation of bone marrow-derived DC with chloroethylclonidine impairs their migration from the footpad to regional lymph nodes.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table II. Effect of inactivation of the {alpha}1b-AR on migration of adoptively transferred DCa

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Altogether, these findings suggest that {alpha}1b-ARs expressed in DC drive at least part of their emigration pathway to regional lymph nodes. In vivo, the effect of PRA and yohimbine suggests that endogenous NE indeed plays a role in DC migration. PRA and propranolol were administered topically to possibly target Langerhans cells or other epidermal structures, whereas yohimbine was injected i.p. because its well-known sympathomimetic activity depends on blockade of both peripheral and central presynaptic {alpha}2-ARs. In addition, NE greatly stimulated skin DC emigration in organ cultures, and the NE effect was neutralized by PRA. This indicates that the effect of PRA and yohimbine in vivo (Fig. 1Go) was not dependent on an altered FITC labeling of DC. Finally, preincubation of DC with the irreversible {alpha}1b-AR antagonist chloroethylclonidine resulted in impaired migration when DC were adoptively transferred. It should be noted that after the chloroethylclonidine exposure, DC were viable and retained the ability to migrate in vitro against RANTES, but not against NE (data not shown). Therefore, the impaired migration of these DC in vivo was probably due to the irreversible inactivation of the {alpha}1b-AR, and this confirmed a role for NE in DC migration in vivo. Most interesting, the inhibition of DC migration induced by PRA was followed by an impaired DC-dependent immune response, as shown in the CHS experiments (Fig. 2Go). Probably the impaired DC migration resulted in a reduced Ag presentation and T cell activation.

In vitro, NE exerted a powerful chemoattractant/chemokinetic effect on bone marrow-derived immature DC via their {alpha}1b-AR. The fact that CD40-stimulated mature DC show a very low expression of the {alpha}1b-AR may explain why NE did not act on these cells and suggests that, unlike 6Ckine (5), NE is not involved in the homing of mature DC in lymph nodes. 6Ckine is, in fact, strongly expressed in the high endothelial venules of lymph nodes and has been shown to mediate both chemotaxis and adhesion of mature, but not immature DC (5).

Possibly, the rich sympathetic innervation of lymphatic smooth muscle (7) creates a NE gradient able to recruit immature DC from nonlymphoid tissues. Nerve fibers are in fact present in the tunica externa and media of afferent lymphatic vessels. Thus, the sympathetic innervation of lymphatic vessels would have the dual role of stimulating smooth muscle contraction, which in turn promotes lymph flow, and of recruiting DC. Nevertheless, an alternative physiological interpretation of the results obtained may also be proposed. Since NE appears to be also chemokinetic (Fig. 4Go) and DC seem to lose their sensitivity to NE during maturation, it might be that under condition of enhanced sympathetic activity (stress, anxiety, cold exposure), increased DC chemokinesis enhances the ability of DC to sample local Ags. This would result in an increased number of maturing DC that can be attracted by relevant chemokines such as 6Ckine and reach the draining lymph nodes. In any case, NE might interact with the chemoattractant activity of chemokines that are expressed at sites of inflammation to activate Ag uptake (22). This, however, does not seem to apply for RANTES (Fig. 3Go). A better understanding of the role of NE in DC migration requires more detailed studies on the interaction between the {alpha}1b-AR, antigenic activation, and locally produced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (4).

In conclusion, we show that immature DC express {alpha}1b-ARs that participate in cell mobilization and migration to regional lymph nodes. This finding should be considered in studies concerning skin diseases, allergy, and autoimmune disorders. As far as it concerns skin diseases, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis may worsen with anxiety (23), a behavioral condition that can be mimicked pharmacologically by yohimbine, which is known to augment catecholamine release. The fact that yohimbine accelerates skin DC migration might be relevant in our understanding of these elusive yet widespread skin diseases. In addition, our finding might open new pharmacological possibilities for modulating the immune response.


    Acknowledgments
 
The skillful technical assistance of Elisabeth Hertens and Paola Galli is gratefully acknowledged.


    Footnotes
 
1 This study was supported by the Fondazione S. Salvatore. Back

2 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Georges J. M. Maestroni, Center for Experimental Pathology, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, P.O. Box 6601 Locarno 1, Switzerland. Back

3 Abbreviations used in this paper: DC, dendritic cell; AR, adrenergic receptor; PRA, prazosin; CHS, contact hypersensitivity; NE, norepinephrine. Back

Received for publication June 27, 2000. Accepted for publication September 13, 2000.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Shortman, K., C. Caux. 1997. Dendritic cell development: multiple pathways to nature’s adjuvants. Stem Cells 15:409.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  2. Sallgaller, M. L., P. A. Lodge. 1998. Use of cellular and cytokine adjuvants in the immunotherapy of cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 68:122.[Medline]
  3. Weinlich, G., M. Heine, H. Stössel, M. Zanella, P. Stoizner, U. Ortnet, J. Smolle, F. Koch, N. T. Sepp, G. Schuler, N. Romani. 1998. Entry into lymphatics and maturation in situ of migrating murine cutaneous dendritic cells. J. Invest. Dermatol. 110:441.[Medline]
  4. Bancherau, J., R. M. Steinman. 1998. Dendritic cells and the control of immunity. Nature 392:245.[Medline]
  5. Kellermann, S.-A., S. Hudak, E. R. Oldham, Y.-J. Liu, L. M. McEvoy. 1999. The CC chemokine receptor-7 ligands 6Ckine and macrophage inflammatory protein-3ß are potent chemoattractants for in vitro and in vivo-derived dendritic cells. J. Immunol. 162:3859.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  6. Warnock, R. A., J. J. Campbell, M. E. Dorf, A. Matsuzawa, L. M. McEvoy, E. C. Butcher. 2000. The role of chemokines in the microenvironmental control of T versus B cell arrest in Peyer’s patch high endothelial venules. J. Exp. Med. 191:77.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. McHale, N. G.. 1990. Lymphatic innervation. Blood Vessels 27:127.[Medline]
  8. Graham, R. M., D. M. Perez, J. Hwa, M. T. Piascik. 1996. {alpha}1-Adrenergic receptor subtypes: molecular structure, function, and signaling. Circ. Res. 78:737.[Free Full Text]
  9. Madden, K. S., V. M. Sanders, D. L. Felten. 1995. Catecholamine influences and sympathetic neural modulation of immune responsiveness. Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 35:417.[Medline]
  10. Feldman, R. D., G. W. Hunninghake, W. L. MacArdle. 1987. ß-Adrenergic-receptor-mediated suppression of interleukin-2 receptors in human lymphocytes. J. Immunol. 139:3355.[Abstract]
  11. Felten, S. Y., D. L. Felten. 1991. Innervation of lymphoid tissue. R. Ader, and D. L. Felten, and N. Cohen, eds. In Psychoneuroimmunology II Vol. 27\N71: Academic Press, San Diego.
  12. Maestroni, G. J. M., A. Conti, E. Pedrinis. 1992. Effect of adrenergic agents on hematopoiesis after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation in mice. Blood 5:1178.
  13. Maestroni, G. J. M., A. Conti. 1994. Noradrenergic modulation of lymphohematopoiesis. Int. J. Immunopharmacol. 16:117.[Medline]
  14. Maestroni, G. J. M., A. Conti. 1994. Modulation of hematopoiesis via {alpha}-1 adrenergic receptors on bone marrow cells. Exp. Hematol. 22:314.
  15. Maestroni, G. J. M., M. Togni, V. Covacci. 1997. Norepinephrine protects mice from acute lethal doses of carboplatin. Exp. Hematol. 25:491.[Medline]
  16. Maestroni, G. J. M.. 1998. Catecholaminergic regulation of hematopoiesis in mice. Blood 92:2971.[Free Full Text]
  17. Rogausch, H., A. Del Rey, J. Oertel, H. Besedovsky. 1999. Norepinephrine stimulates lymphoid cell mobilization from the perfused rat spleen via ß-adrenergic receptors. Am. J. Physiol. 276:R724.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Lutz, M. B., N. Kukutsch, A. L. J. Ogilvie, S. Rösner, F. Koch, N. Romani, G. Schuler. 1999. An advanced culture method for generating large quantities of highly pure dendritic cells from mouse bone marrow. J. Immunol. Methods 223:77.[Medline]
  19. Saeki, H., A. M. Moore, M. J. Brown, S. T. Hwang. 1999. Cutting edge: secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) and CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) participate in the emigration pathway of mature dendritic cells from skin to regional lymph nodes. J. Immunol. 162:2472.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  20. Dobbins, D. E.. 1992. Catecholamine-mediated lymphatic constriction: involvement of both {alpha}1- and {alpha}2-adrenoreceptors. Am. J. Physiol. 263:H473.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. Schuler, G., R. Steinman. 1985. Murine epidermal Langerhans cells mature into potent immunostimulatory dendritic cells in vitro. J. Exp. Med. 161:526.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Baggiolini, M.. 1998. Chemokines and leukocyte traffic. Nature 392:565.[Medline]
  23. Sirinek, L. P., M. S. O’dorisio. 1991. Modulation of immune function by intestinal neuropeptides. Acta Oncol. 30:509.[Medline]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Leukoc. Biol.Home page
C. M. Bertram, S. Baltic, N. L. Misso, K. D. Bhoola, P. S. Foster, P. J. Thompson, and M. Fogel-Petrovic
Expression of kinin B1 and B2 receptors in immature, monocyte-derived dendritic cells and bradykinin-mediated increase in intracellular Ca2+ and cell migration
J. Leukoc. Biol., June 1, 2007; 81(6): 1445 - 1454.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GutHome page
R H Straub, R Wiest, U G Strauch, P Harle, and J Scholmerich
The role of the sympathetic nervous system in intestinal inflammation.
Gut, November 1, 2006; 55(11): 1640 - 1649.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Pharmacol.Home page
T. Shi, Z.-H. Duan, R. Papay, E. Pluskota, R. J. Gaivin, C. A. de la Motte, E. F. Plow, and D. M. Perez
Novel {alpha}1-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling Pathways: Secreted Factors and Interactions with the Extracellular Matrix
Mol. Pharmacol., July 1, 2006; 70(1): 129 - 142.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
J. Deng, K. Muthu, R. Gamelli, R. Shankar, and S. B. Jones
Adrenergic modulation of splenic macrophage cytokine release in polymicrobial sepsis
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, September 1, 2004; 287(3): C730 - C736.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Histochem. Cytochem.Home page
M. Anlauf, M. K.-H. Schafer, C. Depboylu, W. Hartschuh, L. E. Eiden, G. Kloppel, and E. Weihe
The Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 (VMAT2) Is Expressed by Normal and Tumor Cutaneous Mast Cells and Langerhans Cells of the Skin but Is Absent from Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
J. Histochem. Cytochem., June 1, 2004; 52(6): 779 - 788.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
G. Schiavoni, F. Mattei, P. Borghi, P. Sestili, M. Venditti, H. C. Morse III, F. Belardelli, and L. Gabriele
ICSBP is critically involved in the normal development and trafficking of Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells
Blood, March 15, 2004; 103(6): 2221 - 2228.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
P. Saint-Mezard, C. Chavagnac, S. Bosset, M. Ionescu, E. Peyron, D. Kaiserlian, J.-F. Nicolas, and F. Berard
Psychological Stress Exerts an Adjuvant Effect on Skin Dendritic Cell Functions In Vivo
J. Immunol., October 15, 2003; 171(8): 4073 - 4080.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
K. Seiffert, J. Hosoi, H. Torii, H. Ozawa, W. Ding, K. Campton, J. A. Wagner, and R. D. Granstein
Catecholamines Inhibit the Antigen-Presenting Capability of Epidermal Langerhans Cells
J. Immunol., June 15, 2002; 168(12): 6128 - 6135.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
H. Zhang, C. S. Facemire, A. J. Banes, and J. E. Faber
Different alpha -adrenoceptors mediate migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and adventitial fibroblasts in vitro
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2002; 282(6): H2364 - H2370.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Infect. Immun.Home page
H. Jebbari, A. J. Stagg, R. N. Davidson, and S. C. Knight
Leishmania major Promastigotes Inhibit Dendritic Cell Motility In Vitro
Infect. Immun., February 1, 2002; 70(2): 1023 - 1026.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Infect. Immun.Home page
T. Miura, T. Kudo, A. Matsuki, K. Sekikawa, Y.-I. Tagawa, Y. Iwakura, and A. Nakane
Effect of 6-Hydroxydopamine on Host Resistance against Listeria monocytogenes Infection
Infect. Immun., December 1, 2001; 69(12): 7234 - 7241.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
N. Fujita, H. Kagamu, H. Yoshizawa, K. Itoh, H. Kuriyama, N. Matsumoto, T. Ishiguro, J. Tanaka, E. Suzuki, H. Hamada, et al.
CD40 Ligand Promotes Priming of Fully Potent Antitumor CD4+ T Cells in Draining Lymph Nodes in the Presence of Apoptotic Tumor Cells
J. Immunol., November 15, 2001; 167(10): 5678 - 5688.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JEMHome page
V. Angeli, C. Faveeuw, O. Roye, J. Fontaine, E. Teissier, A. Capron, I. Wolowczuk, M. Capron, and F. Trottein
Role of the Parasite-derived Prostaglandin D2 in the Inhibition of Epidermal Langerhans Cell Migration during Schistosomiasis Infection
J. Exp. Med., May 14, 2001; 193(10): 1135 - 1148.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Res.Home page
K. Masur, B. Niggemann, K. S. Zanker, and F. Entschladen
Norepinephrine-induced Migration of SW 480 Colon Carcinoma Cells Is Inhibited by {beta}-Blockers
Cancer Res., April 1, 2001; 61(7): 2866 - 2869.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
H. Zhang, C. S. Facemire, A. J. Banes, and J. E. Faber
Different alpha -adrenoceptors mediate migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and adventitial fibroblasts in vitro
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2002; 282(6): H2364 - H2370.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Maestroni, G. J. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Maestroni, G. J. M.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS