Tetraspanin CD37 contributes to the initiation of cellular immunity by promoting dendritic cell migration

Kate Gartlan, Janet Lye-Keng Wee, Maria Demaria, Roza Nastovska, Tsz Man (Fiona) Chang, Eleanor Jones, Vasso Apostolopoulos, Geoffrey A Pietersz, Michael John Hickey, Annemiek B van Spriel, Mark Dexter Wright

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46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Previous studies on the role of the tetraspanin CD37 in cellular immunity appear contradictory. In vitro approaches indicate a negative regulatory role, whereas in vivo studies suggest that CD37 is necessary for optimal cellular responses. To resolve this discrepancy, we studied the adaptive cellular immune responses of CD37-/- mice to intradermal challenge with either tumors or model antigens and found that CD37 is essential for optimal cell-mediated immunity. We provide evidence that an increased susceptibility to tumors observed in CD37-/- mice coincides with a striking failure to induce antigen-specific IFN-gamma-secreting T cells. We also show that CD37 ablation impairs several aspects of DC function including: in vivo migration from skin to draining lymph nodes; chemo-tactic migration; integrin-mediated adhesion under flow; the ability to spread and form actin protrusions and in vivo priming of adoptively transferred naive T cells. In addition, multiphoton microscopy-based assessment of dermal DC migration demonstrated a reduced rate of migration and increased randomness of DC migration in CD37-/- mice. Together, these studies are consistent with a model in which the cellular defect that underlies poor cellular immune induction in CD37-/- mice is impaired DC migration.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1208 - 1219
Number of pages12
JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology
Volume43
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

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