Dendritic cells are the principal cells in mouse spleen bearing immunogenic fragments of foreign proteins.

We monitored the APC function of cells taken from the spleen and peritoneal cavity of mice that had been given protein antigens via the intravenous or intraperitoneal routes. Using the mAb 33D1 and N418 to negatively and positively select dendritic cells, we obtained evidence that dendritic cells are the main cell type in spleen that carries the protein in a form that is immunogenic for antigen-specific T cells. In vivo pulsed macrophages were not immunogenic and did not appear capable of transferring peptide fragments to dendritic cells.

The surface of dendritic cells in the mouse as studied with monoclonal antibodies.

A family of dendritic cells has been identified in situ and in vitro by microscopy and immunolabeling. The members of this family include the dendritic cells isolated from lymphoid organs, Langerhans cells [LC] of the epidermis, veiled cells in afferent lymph, and interdigitating cells [IDC] in the T-cell areas. Some common features to all members of the family are high levels of MHC class II antigens, a lack of most B and T cell markers, and an absence or low levels of macrophage/granulocyte antigens.