Epithelial dendritic cells vs. Langerhans cells: Implications for mucosal vaccines
Erica Elizabeth Vine,
Paul Jonathon Austin,
Thomas Ray O’Neil,
Najla Nasr,
Kirstie Melissa Bertram,
Anthony Lawrence Cunningham,
Andrew Nicholas Harman
Affiliations
Erica Elizabeth Vine
Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Westmead Clinic School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
Paul Jonathon Austin
Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
Thomas Ray O’Neil
Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
Najla Nasr
Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
Kirstie Melissa Bertram
Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
Anthony Lawrence Cunningham
Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
Andrew Nicholas Harman
Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Corresponding author
Summary: Next-generation vaccines may be delivered via the skin and mucosa. The stratified squamous epithelium (SSE) represents the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) and type II mucosa (epithelium). Langerhans cells (LCs) have been considered the sole antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to inhabit the SSE; however, it is now clear that dendritic cells (DCs) are also present. Importantly, there are functional differences in how LCs and DCs take up and process pathogens as well as their ability to activate and polarize T cells, though whether DCs participate in neuroimmune interactions like LCs is yet to be elucidated. A correct definition and functional characterization of APCs in the skin and anogenital tissues are of utmost importance for the design of better vaccines and blocking pathogen transmission. Here, we provide a historical perspective on the evolution of our understanding of the APCs that inhabit the SSE, including a detailed review of the most recent literature.
