Brief communication: Long-term absence of Langerhans cells alters the gene expression profile of keratinocytes and dendritic epidermal T cells

PLoS One. 2020 Jan 10;15(1):e0223397. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223397. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Tissue-resident and infiltrating immune cells are continuously exposed to molecules derived from the local cells that often come in form of secreted factors, such as cytokines. These factors are known to impact the immune cells' biology. However, very little is known about whether the tissue resident immune cells in return also affect the local environment. In this study, with the help of RNA-sequencing, we show for the first time that long-term absence of epidermal resident Langerhans cells led to significant gene expression changes in the local keratinocytes and resident dendritic epidermal T cells. Thus, immune cells might play an active role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, which should be taken in consideration at data interpretation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / genetics*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Epidermal Cells / immunology
  • Epidermal Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Homeostasis / immunology
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / immunology
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology
  • Langerhans Cells / metabolism*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Transcriptome / genetics*
  • Transcriptome / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines

Grants and funding

B.Z.I. The Baylor Scott & White Health Foundation supported this work.