HLA-DR+ leukocytes acquire CD1 antigens in embryonic and fetal human skin and contain functional antigen-presenting cells.

ABSTRACT: Adequate numbers and functional maturity are needed for leukocytes to exhibit a protective role in host defense. During intrauterine life, the skin immune system has to acquire these prerequisites to protect the newborn from infection in the hostile external environment after birth. We investigated the quantitative, phenotypic, and functional development of skin leukocytes and analyzed the factors controlling their proliferation and trafficking during skin development. We show that CD45(+) leukocytes are scattered in embryonic human skin and that their numbers continuously increase as the developing skin generates an environment that promotes proliferation of skin resident leukocytes as well as the influx of leukocytes from the circulation. We also found that CD45(+)HLA-DR(high)CD1c(+) den

SUBMITTER: Schuster C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2626673 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature