Article

CD11c/EYFP transgene illuminates a discrete network of dendritic cells within the embryonic, neonatal, adult, and injured mouse brain

  1. Karen Bulloch1,*,
  2. Melinda M. Miller2,
  3. Judit Gal-Toth2,
  4. Teresa A. Milner2,3,
  5. Andres Gottfried-Blackmore2,
  6. Elizabeth M. Waters2,
  7. Ulrike W. Kaunzner2,
  8. Kang Liu1,
  9. Randall Lindquist4,
  10. Michel C. Nussenzweig4,
  11. Ralph M. Steinman1,
  12. Bruce S. McEwen2

Article first published online: 3 APR 2008

DOI: 10.1002/cne.21668

Issue

Journal of Comparative Neurology

Journal of Comparative Neurology

Volume 508, Issue 5, pages 687–710, 10 June 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Bulloch, K., Miller, M. M., Gal-Toth, J., Milner, T. A., Gottfried-Blackmore, A., Waters, E. M., Kaunzner, U. W., Liu, K., Lindquist, R., Nussenzweig, M. C., Steinman, R. M. and McEwen, B. S. (2008), CD11c/EYFP transgene illuminates a discrete network of dendritic cells within the embryonic, neonatal, adult, and injured mouse brain. J. Comp. Neurol., 508: 687–710. doi: 10.1002/cne.21668

Author Information

  1. 1

    Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065

  2. 2

    Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10021

  3. 3

    Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065

  4. 4

    Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065

*Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 165, New York, NY 10065

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 APR 2008
  2. Article first published online: 3 APR 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 10 JAN 2008
  4. Manuscript Revised: 2 NOV 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 25 JUL 2007

Funded by

  • National Institutes of Health. Grant Numbers: NA16765, NS007080, HL18974, PA08259
  • P.D.T. Dendritics

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Keywords:

  • central nervous system;
  • steady state;
  • transgenic mouse;
  • neurogenesis;
  • immune system

Abstract

The CD11c enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) transgenic mouse was constructed to identify dendritic cells in the periphery (Lindquist et al. [2004] Nat. Immunol. 5:1243–1250). In this study, we used this mouse to characterize dendritic cells within the CNS. Our anatomic results showed discrete populations of EYFP+ brain dendritic cells (EYFP+ bDC) that colocalized with a small fraction of microglia immunoreactive for Mac-1, Iba-1, CD45, and F4/80 but not for NeuN, Dcx, NG2 proteoglycan, or GFAP. EYFP+ bDC, isolated by fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS), expressed mRNA for the Itgax (CD11c) gene, whereas FACS anlaysis of EYFP+ bDC cultures revealed the presence of CD11c protein. Light microscopy studies revealed that EYFP+ bDC were present in the embryonic CNS when the blood–brain barrier is formed and postnatally when brain cells are amenable to culturing. In adult male mice, EYFP+ bDC distribution was prominent within regions of the CNS that 1) are subject to structural plasticity and neurogenesis, 2) receive sensory and humoral input from the external environment, and 3) lack a blood–brain barrier. Ultrastructural analysis of EYFP+ bDC in adult neurogenic niches showed their proximity to developing neurons and a morphology characteristic of immune/microglia cells. Kainic acid-induced seizures revealed that EYFP+ bDC responded to damage of the hippocampus and displayed morphologies similar to those described for seizure-activated EGFP+ microglia in the hippocampus of cfms (CSF-1R) EGFP mice. Collectively, these findings suggest a new member of the dendritic cell family residing among the heterogeneous microglia population. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:687–710, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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