Cutting edge: Lack of evidence for connexin-43 expression in human epidermal Langerhans cells

J Immunol. 2007 Oct 1;179(7):4318-21. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.7.4318.

Abstract

A provocative study has shown that viral peptides may be transferred in vitro from epithelial cells to APC through connexin-43 gap junction channels. In support of this cross-presentation pathway, the study also reported that human dendritic cells, including Langerhans cells of skin, express connexin-43. In this report we show that if this was the case, the levels of connexin-43 are below those detectable by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, quantitative PCR of purified CD1a+ cells, and electron microscopy, raising questions about the relevance of the connexin-43-dependent mechanism for Langerhans cells of noninflamed human skin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Separation
  • Connexin 43 / genetics
  • Connexin 43 / immunology
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism*
  • Epidermal Cells*
  • Gap Junctions / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Keratinocytes / ultrastructure
  • Langerhans Cells / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron

Substances

  • Connexin 43