Human CD141+ Dendritic Cells Induce CD4+ T Cells To Produce Type 2 Cytokines

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) play the central role in the priming of naive T cells and the differentiation of unique effector T cells. In this study, using lung tissues and blood from both humans and humanized mice, we analyzed the response of human CD1c+ and CD141+ DC subsets to live-attenuated influenza virus. Specifically, we analyzed the type of CD4+ T cell immunity elicited by live-attenuated influenza virus–exposed DCs. Both DC subsets induce proliferation of allogeneic naive CD4+ T cells with the capacity to secrete IFN-γ. However, CD141+ DCs are uniquely able to induce the differentiation of IL-4– and IL-13–producing CD4+ T cells. CD141+ DCs induce IL-4– and IL-13–secreting CD4+ T cells through OX40 ligand. Thus, CD141+ DCs demonstrate remarkable plasticity in guiding adaptive immune responses.