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. 2013 Dec 19;134(4):965–974. doi: 10.1038/jid.2013.481

A Three-Dimensional Atlas of Human Dermal Leukocytes, Lymphatics, and Blood Vessels

Xiao-Nong Wang 1,*, Naomi McGovern 1, Merry Gunawan 1, Connor Richardson 1, Martin Windebank 1, Tee-Wei Siah 2, Hwee-Ying Lim 3, Katja Fink 4, Jackson L Yao Li 4, Lai G Ng 4, Florent Ginhoux 4, Veronique Angeli 3, Matthew Collin 1, Muzlifah Haniffa 1,*
PMCID: PMC3961477  EMSID: EMS55583  PMID: 24352044

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages (Mφ), and T cells are major components of the skin immune system, but their interstitial spatial organization is poorly characterized. Using four-channel whole-mount immunofluorescence staining of the human dermis, we demonstrated the three-dimensional distribution of CD31+ blood capillaries, LYVE-1+ lymphatics, discrete populations of CD11c+ myeloid DCs, FXIIIa+ Mφ, and lymphocytes. We showed phenotypic and morphological differences in situ between DCs and Mφ. DCs formed the first dermal cellular layer (0–20 μm beneath the dermoepidermal junction), Mφ were located deeper (40–60 μm), and CD3+ lymphocytes were observed throughout (0–60 μm). Below this level, DCs, T cells, and the majority of Mφ formed stable perivascular sheaths. Whole-mount imaging revealed the true extent of dermal leukocytes previously underestimated from cross-section views. The total area of apical dermis (0–30 μm) contained approximately 10-fold more myeloid DCs than the entire blood volume of an average individual. Surprisingly, <1% of dermal DCs occupied lymphatics in freshly isolated skin. Dermal DCs rapidly accumulated within lymphatics, but Mφ remained fixed in skin explants cultured ex vivo. The leukocyte architecture observed in normal skin was distorted in inflammation and disease. These studies illustrate the micro-anatomy of dermal leukocytes and provide further insights into their functional organization.

Introduction

The human dermis is rich in leukocytes such as dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages (Mφ), and T cells. Skin DCs migrate to lymph nodes to activate naive T cells, but there is evidence to suggest that skin DCs and Mφ may also interact with memory T cells in situ (Tomura et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2012). Skin DCs comprise distinct subsets. In addition to CD1a++Langerin+ epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs), CD1c+ DCs co-expressing CD1a, CD14+ DCs, and CD141hiXCR1+ DCs have been identified (Czernielewski et al., 1983; Lenz et al., 1993; Nestle et al., 1993; Haniffa et al., 2012 and reviewed in Collin et al., 2013) and distinguished from FXIIIa+CD163+ interstitial Mφ (Haniffa et al., 2009; Zaba et al., 2009). Dermal DC subsets have distinct cytokine profiles and are functionally specialized (Morelli et al., 2005; Klechevsky et al., 2008; Haniffa et al., 2012). Dermal T cells are predominantly CD4+, have the effector memory cell phenotype (CD45RA−CD45RO+CCR7−), express the skin addressins CLA, CCR6, and CCR4, and possess a diverse TCR repertoire (Clark et al., 2006a, 2006b). Th1, Th2, Th17, and Th22 CD4+ T cells have been described (Eyerich et al., 2009 and reviewed in Sallusto et al., 2012). CD4+CD25hi regulatory T cells are observed in the dermis and are shown to be modulated by epidermal LCs (Clark, 2010; Seneschal et al., 2012). Animal studies have shown antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T-cell migration into skin via blood vessels and to the draining lymph node via lymphatic channels (reviewed in Forster et al., 2012).

Studies on human skin leukocytes, blood, and lymphatic conduits have relied on two main techniques: (i) flow cytometry of cells migrated from skin explant cultured ex vivo or digested skin and (ii) in situ microscopic analysis of cross-sectioned skin (Ochoa et al., 2008; Zaba et al., 2009). These studies lacked the resolution to illustrate dermal vascular networks, microanatomy of skin leukocytes, and the role of lymphatics as conduits for DC migration to the draining lymph node (Hudack and McMaster, 1933; Zaba et al., 2007; Ochoa et al., 2008).

Here we performed whole-mount dermal sheet microscopy to analyze DCs, Mφ, and T cells in normal and diseased skin. We also analyzed dermal blood and lymphatic vessels and interrogated dermal APC lymphatic migration capacity in normal skin. This study provides further insights into the functional organization of interstitial leukocytes in normal and diseased skin.

Results

Human dermis contains an interwoven network of lymphatic and blood vessels

We first assessed the distribution of dermal blood capillaries and lymphatics using antibodies to CD31 (PECAM1), an endothelial cell marker, and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1). Double staining with CD31 and LYVE-1 allowed visualization of the blood capillary network (CD31+LYVE-1−) and initial lymphatics (CD31+LYVE-1+; Figure 1a–c). Looped blood capillaries were found in the first 25 μm beneath the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ; Figure 1d). Between 25 and 50 μm, blind-ended large bore lymphatics and capillary networks were easily visualized (Figure 1e). Whole-mount Z-stack reconstruction of the dermal whole mount to a depth of 50 μm beneath the DEJ showed the more superficial distribution of blood capillaries above the network of initial lymphatics (Figure 1f).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Dermal lymphatics and blood vessels. (a–c) CD31 (red) and LYVE-1 (green) staining to identify CD31+LYVE-1− blood vessels and CD31loLYVE-1+ lymphatic vessels. (d, e) Serial sections of region within inset in c. (d) CD31+capillary loops and LYVE-1+lymphatic tips at 0–25 μm. (e) Blood and lymphatic vessels between 25 and 50 μm beneath the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ). (f) A three-dimensional projection of d and e. (g) Loss of LYVE-1 (green) expression at the transition from initial to collecting lymphatic vessel (>500 μm beneath the DEJ). (h) LYVE-1+podoplanin+ initial lymphatic vessels and LYVE-1lo podoplanin+ collecting vessels. (i) Valves (white arrows) within collecting lymphatic vessels. (j) Smooth muscle actin (red) at the start of collecting lymphatic vessel. Data are representative of n>5 from >3 separate donors, maximum Z-stacks projection. Scale bar =100 μm except c =500 μm.

Initial lymphatic vessels appeared to lose LYVE-1 staining in deeper dermis (>500 μm) where intra-luminal valve-like structures were observed (Figure 1g). We analyzed the expression of the 38 kD transmembrane mucoprotein, podoplanin, reported to be expressed by both initial and collecting lymphatic vessels (Kawai and Ohhashi, 2012) and found that initial lymphatic vessels expressed both LYVE-1 and podoplanin, but collecting vessels were LYVE-1lo/−podoplanin+ (Figure 1h). The transition between initial and collecting vessels was marked by intra-luminal valves (Figure 1i) and sparse expression of smooth muscle actin (Figure 1j).

Flow cytometry and cytology of dermal leukocytes

Before examining leukocytes in situ, we reviewed the phenotype, relative abundance, and morphology of dermal leukocytes by flow cytometry and cytology. Analysis of major histocompatibility complex class II expression (HLA-DR) and cell granularity (side scatter (SSC) parameter) enabled the separation of HLA-DR−SSCloCD3+ T lymphocytes from HLA-DR−SSCmid−hiCD117+ mast cells and HLA-DR+ APCs (Figure 2a). Mφ were distinguishable by their autofluorescent properties from DCs (Figure 2a). Successive gating of the HLA-DR+ autofluorescent-negative DC fraction allowed CD14+ DCs to be separated from CD14− cells. The latter fraction comprises the major dermal CD11chi DC population, which co-expressed CD1c (Haniffa et al., 2009, 2012) and CD1a and CD11cloCD141hi DCs. CD1a+++ LCs are CD11cloCD141lo. CD14+ DCs were shown to be functionally distinct from dermal Mφ by adherence, endocytosis, and migration out of skin explants cultured ex vivo (Haniffa et al., 2009).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Flow cytometry, cytology, and in situ identification of dermal leukocytes. (a) Dermal leukocytes by flow cytometry as % of CD45+ cells. Representative results from >3 experiments from >3 donors. (b) Cytology of dermal leukocytes. (c) CD11c (green; dendritic cell (DC)), CD3 (red; T cells), and FXIIIa (blue; Mφ). (d) CD11c+ DCs (red) are HLA-DRbr (green), whereas FXIIIa+ Mφ (blue) are HLA-DRlo/neg. Cropped images on right. (e) LYVE-1 (green) is expressed by Mφ. (f) Some FXIIIa+Mφ express LYVE-1. (g) CD11c (green), CD14 (red), and FXIIIa (blue) distinguishes CD11c+CD14−FXIIIaneg DCs (green arrow) from CD11c+CD14+FXIIIalo−neg DCs (CD14+ DCs; red arrow) and CD11c−CD14+ FXIIIabr Mφ (blue arrow). Scale bar =50 μm. (a–f) Representative of n>5 from >3 separate donors. (h) CLEC9A+(red) HLA-DR+ (green) DCs (white arrows). Representative images from two donors. Maximum projection of Z-stacks shown.

We confirmed the cellular identity of dermal leukocytes by Giemsa staining cytospin preparations of purified populations (Figure 2b). Mast cells and lymphocytes had a low cytoplasm to nuclear ratio. Mast cells had intensely basophilic cytoplasmic granules. Lymphocytes had circular nuclei with visible chromatin granules. Mφ possessed highly vacuolated cytoplasm and dense blue–black cytoplasmic melanin granules, bean-shaped nucleus with lacy chromatin network. DCs had highly vacuolated acidophilic cytoplasm with characteristic fine external projections, an open nuclei with nucleoli consistent with replicative potential as previously reported (Haniffa et al., 2009, 2012). In contrast, CD14+ DCs had granular oval nuclei, a mildly vacuolated basophilic cytoplasm, and a few melanin granules in the occasional cell.

Dermal DCs, Mφ, and T cells are phenotypically distinct in situ

We next sought to locate the dermal DC subsets, Mφ, and T cells identified by flow cytometry and cytology in situ. Our previous analysis revealed the utility of the integrin, CD11c, and the transglutaminase FXIIIa, as antigens that distinguished DCs from Mφ (Zaba et al., 2007; Haniffa et al., 2009). We used CD3 to identify T cells.

We detected a population of rounded CD11c+ cells and a population of elongated cells that stained with FXIIIa (Figure 2c and d). There was no overlap between these two antigens with CD3. All CD11c+ cells in the dermis were HLA-DR+ and CD3− in keeping with the expected phenotype of DCs (Figure 2c and d). Mφ were CD11c− and expressed variable HLA-DR (Figure 2d). DCs were larger compared with CD3+ T cells and more rounded in shape and less elongated than dermal Mφ, which were FXIIIa+HLA-DRlo and CD11c− (Figure 2c and d). We also observed LYVE-1 expression on dermal Mφ, although at a reduced level compared with lymphatic endothelium (Figure 2e). LYVE-1 colocalized, although incompletely, with FXIIIa+ Mφ and was not expressed by DCs or T cells (Figure 2f).

In addition, small numbers of perivascular cells expressing the lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 and with a rounded morphology (Figure 2g) corresponding to migratory CD14+ DCs known to express FXIIIa in common with dermal Mφ (Nestle et al., 1993; Klechevsky et al., 2008; Haniffa et al., 2009) were observed. These cells expressed higher CD14, but less FXIIIa than interstitial Mφ (Figure 2g).

HLA-DR+CLEC9A+ cells corresponding to CD141hiXCR1+ DCs as previously described (Haniffa et al., 2012) were also identifiable in situ (Figure 2h). Both CD14+ DCs and CD141hiXCR1+ DCs expressed CD11c (Figure 2g and Haniffa et al., 2012). Migrating LCs were extremely rare and accounted for approximately 2% of CD11c+ cells (Figure 2a and Supplementary Figure 1 online). As such, we used CD11c expression as a surrogate marker for all dermal DCs.

Anisotropic distribution of dermal DCs, Mφ, and T cells

We next investigated the distribution of DCs, Mφ, and T cells in the dermis. DCs were abundant at <20 μm beneath the DEJ (Figure 3a). Mφ were more visible at 20–40 μm and persisted until 60 μm beneath the DEJ and formed a second cellular layer of APC (Figure 3b). T cells were found throughout the dermis but more abundant at 40–60 μm beneath the DEJ (Figure 3c). A three-dimensional reconstruction of the optical sections imaged up to 60 μm beneath the DEJ illustrates the cellular distribution of DCs, Mφ, and T cells in situ (Figure 3d).

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Anisotropic distribution of dermal leukocytes. Distribution of CD11c+dendritic cells (DCs; green), FXIIIa+ Mφ (blue), and CD3+ T cells (red) at (a) 0–20 μm, (b) 20–40 μm, and (c) 40–60 μm beneath the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ). (d) Three-dimensional reconstruction of a–c; DCs (green), Mφ (blue), and T cells (red). (e) Distribution of CD11c+ DCs, FXIIIa+ Mφ, and CD3+ T cells at >150 μm beneath the DEJ. Scale bar=200 μm except d=50 μm. (f) Scatter plot of number of DCs, Mφ, and T cells per mm2 of dermis up to 30 μm depth. Each point is from one × 20 field; three fields per donor and 3–4 donors analyzed. (g) CD8+ and CD3+CD8− (“CD4+”) T cells at <30 μm and >150 μm beneath the DEJ. P<0.001. Mean±SEM of six donors.

Below 60 μm, cells became progressively more organized in cords with an apparent perivascular distribution (see below). A convenient way to visualize deeper structures in the whole-mount dermal sheet was to examine the sheet from the subcutaneous face, which presented a level of about 150 μm (Figure 3e). DCs, Mφ, and T cells located >150 μm beneath the DEJ were patchy in distribution with cell-dense and pauci-cellular areas (Figure 3e). The number of DCs, Mφ, and T cells up to 30 μm beneath the DEJ per mm2 dermis were 423±168, 291±51, and 1,153±231, respectively (mean±SD; Figure 3f). This equated to 7.62 × 108 DCs over an average total surface body area of 1.8 m2, approximately 10-fold higher than the total number of myeloid DCs in the entire blood volume of 5 l (7.5±3.02 × 107 myeloid DCs; Jardine et al. manuscript submitted). The number of T cells in the first 30 μm of dermis is estimated at 2.08±1.24 × 109 compared with 0.5–1 × 1010 in 5 l of blood.

We next investigated the distribution of dermal CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes. As CD4 is also expressed by DCs, double staining for CD3 and CD8 allowed us to identify CD8+ T cells and CD3+CD8− T cells (Figure 3g). In all, >90% of CD3+CD8− T cells correspond to CD4+ T helper cells as CD3+ NKT cells are absent in healthy human skin (Figure 2a) and <10% of CD3+CD8− dermal cells comprise γδT cells (Ebert et al., 2006). We observed a higher proportion of CD4+ T cells compared with CD8+ T cells in the human dermis, in keeping with published data (Clark et al., 2006a). The ratio of CD8+: CD4+ T cells was 1:2.9 at <30 μm and 1:4.1 at >150 μm beneath the DEJ.

DCs, Mφ, and T cells have unique spatial relationships to dermal vessels

The organization of cells into cords suggested the existence of stable perivascular structures. Staining for CD31 with a cell marker revealed distinct spatial relationships of DCs, Mφ, and T cells to the dermal vascular network (Figure 4a–d). In order to derive a quantitative view of the patterns of distribution, we compared apical (<30 μm) with deep (>150 μm) dermis. We enumerated DCs, Mφ, and T cells that were perivascular (<15 μm from vessel) and interstitial (>15 μm from vessel). DCs found <30 μm beneath the DEJ were predominantly interstitial in distribution. However, at >150 μm beneath the DEJ, DCs were predominantly perivascular (Figure 4a). Mφ were both perivascular and interstitial at <30 μm beneath the DEJ, but primarily perivascular at >150 μm beneath the DEJ (Figure 4b). T cells formed perivascular sheaths throughout the dermis (Figure 4c). DCs, Mφ, and T cells did not have any specific spatial relationship with lymphatic vessels (Figure 4d). The ratio of DC:Mφ:T cell at <30 μm beneath the DEJ was 1.0:0.5:2.2 but 1.0:1.2:5.02 at >150 μm beneath the DEJ. A schematic diagram to show the distribution of dermal leukocytes is illustrated in Figure 4e.

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Relationship of dermal leukocytes to vascular structures. Distribution of (a) CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs; green), (b) FXIIIa+ Mφ (blue), and (c) CD3+ T cells (red) in relation to blood vessels at <30 and >150 μm beneath the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ). Accompanying Imaris software representation is shown on the right. Bar graphs showing number of cells in × 20 field found in perivascular (peri; <15 μm from vessel) and interstitial (inter; >15 μm from vessel) distribution; mean±SEM. (d) Distribution of CD11c+ DC(green), LYVE-1+ Mφ (blue), and CD3+ T cells (red) with lymphatic vessels (blue). Scale bar =50 μm except d =200 μm. Images are representative of >8 experiments, from >5 separate skin donors. (e) Schematic diagram illustrating the distribution of dermal leukocytes.

Apical dermal DCs with branching morphology express fascin

In healthy skin, some dermal DCs located more superficially (<20 μm beneath the DEJ) formed clusters of cells with highly branching cytoplasmic projections in contrast to DCs located >150 μm beneath the DEJ, which had a rounded morphology (Figure 5a and b). This led us to speculate whether the highly branching morphology was associated with increased activation and motility, a feature of lymphatic migration. We next interrogated dermal DCs for the expression of fascin, the actin cytoskeletal binding cell motility protein (Kureishy et al., 2002). Interestingly, fascin was expressed exclusively by superficial DCs that were in clusters (Figure 5c). Fascin expression was found very rarely on DCs found perivascularly at >150 μm beneath the DEJ (Figure 5d). Mφ did not express fascin (Figure 5e).

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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Dermal dendritic cells (DCs) migrate into lymphatics. (a) Apical CD11c+ DCs (green) are rounded cells (yellow rectangle) with clusters of branching cells (white square; higher magnification in right panel). (b) CD11c+ DCs (green) at >150 μm are round. (c) Branching apical CD11c+ DCs (green) express fascin (red). (d) DCs (green) at >150 μm beneath the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ) very rarely express fascin (red). (e) FXIIIa+Mφ (cyan) are fascin− (green). (f) <1% of CD11c+ DCs (red) are inside LYVE-1+lymphatic vessels (green) in freshly isolated skin, but (g) >90% are detectable after 32 hours of skin explant culture. LYVE-1+Mφ (green) are in the interstitium. White arrows indicate cells inside lymphatics in the orthogonal plane. Right panels are higher magnification of region within white rectangles. (h) Cells within LYVE-1+lymphatics (green) are FXIIIa− (cyan) and fascin+(red). Scale bar =20 μm except a, b =50 μm. Representative images from >3 experiments and donors.

Dermal DCs but not Mφ migrate into lymphatic vessels

We next performed dynamic studies of leukocyte migration into lymphatics. To our surprise, <1% of DCs were inside the lymphatic lumen in freshly isolated skin (Figure 5f). However, DCs were easily demonstrable within lymphatic lumen (>80% of DCs in field imaged) of dermal explants cultured for 32 hours ex vivo (Figure 5g). Consistent with our previous observations of fascin expression by highly branching DCs, we observed fascin upregulation on DCs migrating into lymphatics (Figure 5h). Mφ did not express fascin and were never detected within dermal lymphatics in keeping with their resident fixed nature (Figure 5h).

Distortion of skin leukocyte architecture in disease

We next investigated dermal leukocyte microanatomy in disease. We imaged skin biopsies (<30 μm beneath the DEJ) from involved skin of patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, CD4+ cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; Figure 6a–d). Psoriatic and atopic dermatitis skin exhibited cord-like leukocyte aggregates (Figure 6a and b) in contrast to the intense interstitial infiltrate seen in CTCL and GVHD (Figure 6c and d). There was a notable increase in DCs in addition to T cells in atopic dermatitis and GVHD (Figure 6b and d). DCs generally had a spindled or branched morphology in diseased skin. Although both CTCL and GVHD dermis were rich in DCs and T cells, a notable difference was the presence of lymphoid tissue-like aggregates in GVHD (Figure 6d) in contrast to the more diffuse infiltrate in CTCL (Figure 6c).

Figure 6.

Figure 6

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Dermal leukocyte architecture is distorted in disease. (a) Psoriasis, (b) atopic dermatitis, (c) cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), and (d) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) skin showing CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs; green), FXIIIa+Mφ (blue), and CD3+T cells (red); (scale bar=200 μm except d=100 μm left panel) and × 20 of white inset (scale bar=100 μm except d=50 μm right panel). Representative images from two to six independent donors.

Discussion

This study provides a detailed analysis of the three-dimensional organization of leukocytes, blood, and lymphatic vessels within the human dermis. DCs, Mφ, and T cells were differentially distributed by depth within the dermis and in relation to dermal vascular network. The whole-mount imaging analysis revealed the true extent of leukocytes in the dermis, previously underestimated using cross-section views. Stable perivascular sheaths of leukocytes can be observed in normal skin, but the leukocyte micro-anatomy is distorted in pathology and adopts disease-related patterns. In all, <1% of dermal DCs were located within dermal lymphatics in freshly isolated skin, but lymphatic migration were readily observed upon culturing skin ex vivo.

Lymphatic and blood vessel networks in the human dermis have been visualized by injecting vital dyes (Hudack and McMaster, 1933), electron microscopy (Sauter et al., 1998), and more recently immunostaining for CD31, podoplanin, and LYVE-1 (Kriehuber et al., 2001; Kawai and Ohhashi, 2012). The majority of these studies have focused on imaging skin by cross-section or in vitro cell culture analysis. Although intravital multiphoton imaging is useful for in vivo imaging of animal models (Tal et al., 2011; Nagao et al., 2012; Roediger et al., 2013 and reviewed in Germain et al., 2006), technical constraints have limited its application to study human tissue.

CD11c, FXIIIa, and CD3 identified DCs, Mφ, and T cells in the dermis in agreement with previous reports (Zaba et al., 2007; Ochoa et al., 2008; Haniffa et al., 2009). The spindle-shaped morphology of FXIIIa+ Mφ in the dermis had previously led to their initial characterization as “dermal dendrocytes” (Cerio et al., 1989) and contrasts with CD11c+ DCs, which are predominantly rounded in situ. Cytology provides additional distinction between DCs and Mφ and confirms the characteristic cytoplasmic melanin granules seen in dermal Mφ that visually describes the “melanophage” as shown here and in previous studies (McLellan et al., 1998; Zaba et al., 2007; Haniffa et al., 2009). We also confirm that LYVE-1 is a receptor that can identify human dermal Mφ as previously described (Bockle et al., 2008; Attout et al., 2009), although it does not colocalize completely with FXIIIa.

Our analysis of healthy human skin has been done using breast skin, and to avoid high autofluorescence of hair follicles we have focused on interfollicular areas. Our observation of distinct leukocyte layers and stable dermal perivascular sheaths of DCs, Mφ, and T cells suggest the existence of microdomains where immune interactions occur. The recent demonstration in mice of long-lived skin resident effector memory T cells (Jiang et al., 2012) and the role of skin-derived Tregs in inhibiting cutaneous immune response (Tomura et al., 2010) highlights the potential significance of regional semi-autonomous immune regulation.

Although in cross-section dermal leukocytes appear enriched in the proximity of vascular structures (Cerio et al., 1989; Zaba et al., 2007; Ochoa et al., 2008; Haniffa et al., 2009), our data showing stable perivascular sheaths of leukocytes suggest positioning to interact with newly recruited leukocytes. DCs form the top most APC layer directly under the DEJ, which may relate to their role as surveyors of the DEJ.

As our quantification of DCs and T cells only takes into account the first 30 μm thickness of the dermis, the numbers we derive underestimate the true value. The abundance of T cells at >30 μm, anatomical sites sampled, and the lack of accounting for epidermal T cells may explain the discrepancy between our estimate and that previously reported (Clark et al., 2006a, 2006b). Nevertheless, the observation of high numbers of DCs in the skin compared with blood remains and is in keeping with their role as immune sentinels in peripheral tissues.

The expression of fascin by DCs has been reported to occur during DC maturation and migration to draining lymph node (Ross et al., 1998 and reviewed in Kureishy et al., 2002). The association of clusters of fascin expressing DCs with extensive dendritic morphology at <30 μm beneath the DEJ suggests patrolling behavior or localized activation for lymphatic migration. Dynamic studies on tissue leukocytes in humans are technically challenging. Steady-state DC migration has been described as a mechanism to induce antigen tolerance (Steinman et al., 2003) and reported using animal models (Laμmermann et al., 2009; Tal et al., 2011) and human lymphatic cannulation (Brand et al., 1999). DCs in human skin explants cultured in vitro have been shown to form cords within the dermis and thought to reflect lymphatic migration (Lukas et al., 1996). We detected very low numbers of DCs inside lymphatic vessels in freshly isolated skin, in agreement with observations in steady-state mouse skin (Ng et al., 2008; Sen et al., 2010), although a short intra-lymphatic transit time may obscure our detection capacity. Our analysis also confirms the lymphatic migratory property of dermal DCs in contrast to the tissue resident nature of Mφ (Haniffa et al., 2009). Previous studies on DC migration could not distinguish LCs from dermal DCs within lymphatics (Lukas et al., 1996; Brand et al., 1999). Further studies will be required to define the kinetics and understand the functional contribution of individual DC subsets in response to antigen challenge.

Our analysis of diseased skin focused on the superficial dermis. As human pDCs are CD11c−, the infiltrating CD11c+ cells we observed correspond to myeloid DCs. However, we cannot distinguish newly recruited “inflammatory” DCs from the “steady-state” DCs that are present in healthy skin. The surprising observation of DCs interspersed within CD3+ T cells in CTCL skin suggests that lymphomatous T cells require growth stimulation or factors from adjacent cellular milieu. Epidermal changes in the different disorders will also accentuate the disease-related patterns we observed.

Our study demonstrates dermal leukocyte anisotropy in healthy human dermis, suggesting the existence of anatomical micro-domains that may have important functional and potentially exploitable properties. In addition, we show disease-related leukocyte topography, further advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory and malignant skin disorders.

Materials and Methods

Preparation of whole mounts

Normal human skin was obtained with written informed consent from plastic surgery patients under approval of the Newcastle Research Ethics Committee and adherence to Helsinki Guidelines. Normal skin was obtained from patients undergoing mammoplasty aged between 18 and 65 years. Details for patients donating pathological skin are in Supplementary Table 1 online. Dermatome cut whole-skin sheets (200 μm thick) were fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde and 30% sucrose in phosphate-buffered saline overnight at 4 °C. Epidermis was separated by 1-hour incubation in 0.83 mg ml–1 dispase (Gibco, Paisley, UK) at 37 °C. To image depths >200 μm beneath the DEJ, fixed skin sheet was optimal cutting temperature compound embedded and sectioned longitudinally (60–80 μm thickness). Dermal cell suspension for flow cytometry was prepared as previously described (Haniffa et al., 2009).

Immunostaining and microscopy

Dermal sheets were blocked and permeabilized in phosphate-buffered saline containing 0.5% BSA, 0.3% TritionX-100 and washed with phosphate-buffered saline containing 0.2% BSA, 0.1% TritionX-100. Primary antibodies used were as follows: Ag (clone), supplied by BD Pharmingen (Oxford, UK) unless stated otherwise; CD3 (UCHT1); CD8 (HIT8a); CD11c (B-ly6); CD11c-FITC (BU15; AbDSerotec, Kidlington, UK); CD14 (polyclonal; Sigma, Dorset, UK); CD31 (WM59); FXIIIa (polyclonal; Enzyme Research, Swansea, UK); LYVE-1 (polyclonal; R&D, Minneapolis, MN); α-smooth muscle actin (1A4; Sigma); podoplanin (polyclonal; R&D); HLA-DR (G46-6); HLA-DR-FITC (L243); CLEC9A (8F9; Miltenyi Biotec, Bisley, UK); fascin (55K2; Abcam, Cambridge, UK). Secondary antibodies used were as follows: donkey anti-sheep, donkey anti-mouse, and donkey anti-goat Dy488, Dy549, and Dy649 (Jackson ImmunoResearch, Suffolk, UK), AlexaFluor555 or AlexaFluor647 (Invitrogen, Paisley, UK), and Streptavidin-Cy2 or Cy5 (Jackson ImmunoResearch). Biotinylation of primary antibody was performed using TSA Biotin staining kit (Perkin Elmer, Cambridge, UK). Tissue sections were immersed in Vecta mounting medium with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (Vector Laboratories, Peterborough, UK) for 3 hours before analysis.

Ex vivo DC migration assay

Skin sheets was placed in RPMI with 10% fetal calf serum at 37 °C for 32 hours before paraformaldehyde fixation and staining as described above.

Microscopy and cell count

The immunostained specimens were imaged using AxioImager.Z2 fluorescence microscope with Axiovision software v4.8 (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany). Epidermis side up was imaged and the tissue turned to scan dermal face. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the dermis and leukocyte enumeration were performed using Imaris7.6.2 software (www.bitplane.com).

Flow cytometry

Antibodies were obtained from BD (Oxford, UK) unless stated otherwise. Antigen (clone): CD1aAPC (HI149); CD3PE (SK7); CD11cA700 (B-Ly6); CD14PE and PECy7 (M5E2); CD45APC (H130); CD45APCCy7 (2D1); CD117PE (104D2); CD141PE and APC (Miltenyi, Bisley, UK; AD5-14H12); and HLA-DRPerCPCy5.5 (L243). Flow cytometry was performed using BD LSRII and the data analyzed with FlowJo (Treestar, Ashland, OR). Cytospin preparation and Giemsa staining were performed as previously described (Haniffa et al., 2009)

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was carried out using two-tailed nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-test (PrismV5, La Jolla, CA). P<0.05 was considered significant.

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Wellcome Trust (WT088555) and Tyneside Leukaemia Research Association. We thank Dr Trevor Booth and Dr Alex Laude for bio-imaging, Dr Xin Xu for tissue processing, and the support of Professor Peter Farr, Dr Sophie Weatherhead, Dr John Frew, Dr Clifford Lawrence, and Dr Khadija Al-Jefri from the Department of Dermatology and Oncology, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust.

Glossary

APC

antigen-presenting cell

CTCL

cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

DC

dendritic cell

DEJ

dermoepidermal junction

GVHD

graft-versus-host disease

LC

Langerhans cell

Mφ

macrophages

The authors state no conflict of interest.

Footnotes

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Supplementary material is linked to the online version of the paper at http://www.nature.com/jid

Supplementary Material

Supplementary File
Click here for additional data file. (4.1MB, pdf)

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