The Corneal Stroma Is Endowed with a Significant Number of Resident Dendritic Cells

• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.02-0838
• Publication Date: 2003-02-20T21:52:03Z
• Authors: Pedram Hamrah; Ying Liu; Qiang Zhang; M. Reza Dana
• Keywords: CD11c

purpose. Dendritic cells (DCs) comprise a system of highly efficient antigen-presenting (APCs) that initiate immune responses. The purpose this study was to examine the normal stroma for presence DCs and other bone marrow (BM)–derived cells. methods. Normal uninflamed corneas BALB/c murine strains were excised, immunofluorescence single- double-staining multiple markers performed examination by confocal microscopy. Corneal buttons placed in culture immunocytochemistry flow cytometry performed. results. MHC class II+CD80+CD86+ found periphery anterior stroma. These CD45+, CD11c+CD11b+ suggesting BM-derived monocytic DC lineage. In surprising finding, significant numbers II−CD80−CD86− center also CD45+CD11c+CD11b+ but CD3−, GR-1−, keratan sulfate−, CD8α−, reflecting an immature precursor phenotype myeloid DC. addition subsets stroma, CD11c−CD11b+ population primarily posterior representing monocytes/macrophages. rarely present third Further, CD14+ precursor-type throughout vivo findings not strain specific confirmed analyses derived from corneal explants transmission electron conclusions. This demonstrates that, known Langerhans epithelium, at least three cell reside