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Antimicrobial Peptide LL‐37 Internalized by Immature Human Dendritic Cells Alters their Phenotype
Author(s) -
Bandholtz L.,
Ekman G. Jacobsson,
Vilhelmsson M.,
Buentke E.,
Agerberth B.,
Scheynius A.,
Gudmundsson G. H.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2006.001752.x
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , innate immune system , biology , endocytic cycle , cathelicidin , internalization , phenotype , endosome , acquired immune system , immunity , immune system , immunology , endocytosis , cell , intracellular , gene , genetics
The human cathelicidin LL‐37 has been shown to be involved in the barrier function of the innate immunity, being released from specific cells upon challenge and exerting immunomodulatory effects. We here demonstrate that LL‐37 affects immature dendritic cells, derived from human peripheral blood monocytes (MDDC). LL‐37 is internalized by MDDC with subsequent localization primarily in the cytoplasmic compartment. However, LL‐37 could also be detected in the nuclei of MDDC, suggesting that LL‐37 may be transported into the nucleus. The uptake of LL‐37 is dose, time and energy dependent, indicating that the observed internalization process involves an endocytic pathway. Incubation of immature MDDC with LL‐37 caused phenotypic changes, characterized by an increased expression of the antigen‐presenting molecule HLA‐DR, and the costimulatory molecule CD86. Taken together, these findings suggest that LL‐37 released upon triggering of the innate immunity, may affect cellular adaptive immunity through an interaction with immature dendritic cells.