Migration of antigen presenting cells from periphery to the peritoneum during an inflammatory response: role of chemokines and cytokines.

We demonstrate the migration of antigen presenting cells (APCs), macrophages, and dendritic cells from the subcutaneous site to the peritoneum after they have picked up the antigen, using cell tracking dye. The migration of the APCs is more universal as it was also observed after injection of MethA tumor, DH-5alpha cells, and leishmania parasites, in addition to AK-5 tumor cells. Cellular migration is mediated by several chemokines and cytokines that also induce heavy influx of immune cells into the peritoneum. MIP-3beta secreted by the mesothelial cells is involved in the cellular influx into the peritoneum, whereas IL-12 and IFN-gamma produced by the APCs induced activation of immune cells in the peritoneum. Our results suggest an antigen presentation function for the APCs in the peritoneum as studied by lymphoproliferation assays. These studies indicate antigen presentation function of the activated migratory APCs from the distant subcutaneous site to the peritoneum, suggesting it acts as an important lymphoid organ involved in the enhancement of effector cell function.