Ablation of CD8 alpha(+) dendritic cell mediated cross-presentation does not impact atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice

Bart Legein, Edith M. Janssen, Thomas L. Theelen, Marion J. Gijbels, Joep Walraven, Jared S. Klarquist, Cassandra M. Hennies, Kristiaan Wouters, Tom T. P. Seijkens, Erwin Wijnands, Judith C. Sluimer, Esther Lutgens, Martin Zenke, Kai Hildner, Erik A. L. Biessen, Lieve Temmerman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Clinical complications of atherosclerosis are almost exclusively linked to destabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque. Batf3-dependent dendritic cells specialize in cross-presentation of necrotic tissue-derived epitopes to directly activate cytolytic CD8 Tcells. The mature plaque (necrotic, containing dendritic cells and CD8 Tcells) could offer the ideal environment for cross-presentation, resulting in cytotoxic immunity and plaque destabilization. Ldlr(-/-) mice were transplanted with batf3(-/-) or wt bone marrow and put on a western type diet. Hematopoietic batf3 deficiency sharply decreased CD8 alpha(+) DC numbers in spleen and lymph nodes (>80%; P <0,001). Concordantly, batf3(-/-) chimeras had a 75% reduction in OT-I cross-priming capacity in vivo. Batf3(-/-) chimeric mice did not show lower Tcell or other leukocyte subset numbers. Despite dampened cross-presentation capacity, batf3(-/-) chimeras had equal atherosclerosis burden in aortic arch and root. Likewise, batf3(-/-) chimeras and wt mice revealed no differences in parameters of plaque stability: plaque Tcell infiltration, cell death, collagen composition, and macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell content were unchanged. These results show that CD8 alpha(+) DC loss in hyperlipidemic mice profoundly reduces cross-priming ability, nevertheless it does not influence lesion development. Taken together, we clearly demonstrate that CD8 alpha(+) DC-mediated cross-presentation does not significantly contribute to atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability.
Original languageEnglish
Article number15414
JournalScientific Reports
Volume5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Oct 2015

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