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A three-dimensional atlas of human dermal leukocytes, lymphatics, and blood vessels.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Wang, Xiao-Nong 
Gunawan, Merry 
Richardson, Connor 
Windebank, Martin 

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages (Mφ), and T cells are major components of the skin immune system, but their interstitial spatial organization is poorly characterized. Using four-channel whole-mount immunofluorescence staining of the human dermis, we demonstrated the three-dimensional distribution of CD31(+) blood capillaries, LYVE-1(+) lymphatics, discrete populations of CD11c(+) myeloid DCs, FXIIIa(+) Mφ, and lymphocytes. We showed phenotypic and morphological differences in situ between DCs and Mφ. DCs formed the first dermal cellular layer (0-20 μm beneath the dermoepidermal junction), Mφ were located deeper (40-60 μm), and CD3(+) lymphocytes were observed throughout (0-60 μm). Below this level, DCs, T cells, and the majority of Mφ formed stable perivascular sheaths. Whole-mount imaging revealed the true extent of dermal leukocytes previously underestimated from cross-section views. The total area of apical dermis (0-30 μm) contained approximately 10-fold more myeloid DCs than the entire blood volume of an average individual. Surprisingly, <1% of dermal DCs occupied lymphatics in freshly isolated skin. Dermal DCs rapidly accumulated within lymphatics, but Mφ remained fixed in skin explants cultured ex vivo. The leukocyte architecture observed in normal skin was distorted in inflammation and disease. These studies illustrate the micro-anatomy of dermal leukocytes and provide further insights into their functional organization.

Description

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Anisotropy, CD11c Antigen, Carrier Proteins, Cell Movement, Dermis, Female, Flow Cytometry, Humans, Langerhans Cells, Leukocytes, Lymphatic System, Lymphatic Vessels, Lymphocytes, Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous, Macrophages, Microfilament Proteins, Middle Aged, Phenotype, Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1, Skin, Young Adult

Journal Title

J Invest Dermatol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-202X
1523-1747

Volume Title

134

Publisher

Elsevier BV