Through genetic engineering, the cells could be targeted for the delivery of genes encoding for specific antigens and immunoregulatory molecules, signaling either the start or stop of the immune response, say the University of Pittsburgh researchers. The team also hopes to be able to use these precursors, through tissue engineering, to repopulate artificial skin with an intact immune system.
"By manipulating the function of Langerhans cells, we may be able to initiate an immune response, which could enhance vaccine development. We may also have the potential to down-regulate or turn off an immune response, creating novel treatments for asthma or other auto-immune diseases and anti-rejection therapies in transplantation," said Louis D. Falo, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., senior investigator for the study and professor and chairman, department of dermatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
LCs are a subset of dendritic cells (DCs) present in the epidermis of the skin that show an extraordinary immunostimulatory capacity. They are antigen-presenting cells, meaning that when the LCs encounter an antigen in the presence of a "danger signal" like a pathogen or infection, they migrate from the skin to the lymph nodes, presenting a processed antigen to T-cells, initiating antigen-specific T-cell immunity.
"Scientists have known that LC precursors existed; however, the identification of an immediate LC precursor resident i
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Contact: Jocelyn Uhl
uhljh@msx.upmc.edu
412-647-3555
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
11-Nov-2001