MHC Class II-restricted antigen presentation by plasmacytoid dendritic cells drives proatherogenic T cell immunity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) bridge innate and adaptive immune responses and are important regulators of immuno-inflammatory diseases. However, their role in atherosclerosis remains elusive.

Methods and results

Here, we used genetic approaches to investigate the role of pDCs in atherosclerosis. Selective pDC deficiency in vivo was achieved using CD11c-Cre × Tcf4(-/flox) bone marrow transplanted into Ldlr(-/-) mice. Compared with control Ldlr(-/-) chimeric mice, CD11c-Cre × Tcf4(-/flox) mice had reduced atherosclerosis levels. To begin to understand the mechanisms by which pDCs regulate atherosclerosis, we studied chimeric Ldlr(-/-) mice with selective MHCII deficiency on pDCs. Significantly, these mice also developed reduced atherosclerosis compared with co

SUBMITTER: Sage AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4428652 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature