- 13th International Workshop on Langerhans Cells
Transcription
- 13th International Workshop on Langerhans Cells
LC 2013 13th International Workshop on Langerhans Cells October 10 -13, 2013 Amsterdam, The Netherlands SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM & ABSTRACTS WELCOME Ladies and gentlemen, friends and colleagues, Langerhans researchers all over the world, The fact that the Nobel Prize in Medicine 2011 was awarded to Ralph M. Steinman "for his discovery of the dendritic cell and its role in adaptive immunity" underlines the importance of dendritic cells. Dendritic cells, including epidermal skin Langerhans cells are considered to be master regulators for protective immunity and tolerance. Langerhans cell research is an established niche within research on dendritic cells, encompassing both fundamental and clinical immunology. The development of exiting new experimental models boosted interest in skin dendritic cells, also including dermal dendritic cells. All basic research on Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells over the last decades is beginning to pay off, as clinical opportunities become clear, such as intradermal vaccination. The tradition of having biennial International Langerhans Cell Workshops started in 1989 in Oslo, Norway, and we are happy to host the 13th workshop in Amsterdam. The rich cultural background of the capital city of The Netherlands, together with its many social opportunities, guarantees a successful meeting and the initiation of new collaborations and interactions between advanced and young researchers but also between researchers and industry. LC2013 will focus on the function of Langerhans cells and other dendritic cell subsets in skin and mucosa. The recent developments in the field will be highlighted with excellent invited speakers, state‐of‐the art oral presentations and poster sessions. We cordially invite researchers, dermatologists, and industry to actively participate and interact in the 13th International Workshop on Langerhans Cells in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. LC2013 provides the great opportunity to listen to international experts to hear their latest news and their opinions. The meeting will take place from Thursday, October 10th to Sunday, October 13th, 2013 at the Royal Tropical Institute, a beautiful monumental building and centrally located in the city of Amsterdam. The local organizers have been working hard to ensure that you will have a great time and plenty of new information to share with your colleagues when you return home. We thank all sponsors for their support without which this Workshop would not be possible. Welcome to Amsterdam ! Teunis Geijtenbeek, Esther de Jong & Marcel Teunissen Under the auspices of: Academic Medical Center University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands 1 COMMITTEES Local Organizing Committee Marcel B.M. Teunissen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Esther C. de Jong, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Teunis B.H. Geijtenbeek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands International Organizing Committee Björn Clausen, Mainz, Germany Adelheid Elbe-Bürger, Vienna, Austria Florent Ginhoux, Singapore Sandrine Henri, Marseille, France Juliana Idoyaga, New York, USA Daniel Kaplan, Minneapolis, MN, USA Eynav Klechevsky, St. Louis, MO, USA Miriam Merad, New York, USA Keisuke Nagao, Tokyo, Japan Niki Romani, Innsbruck, Austria Georg Stingl, Vienna, Austria Patrizia Stoitzner, Innsbruck, Austria Marcel Teunissen, Amsterdam, Netherlands Mark Udey, Bethesda, MD, USA James W. Young, New York Past Organizers* - Past Advisory Committee Paul Bergstresser*, Dallas, USA Lasse R. Braathen*, Berne, Switzerland Colette Dezutter-Dambuyant*, Lyon, France Adelheid Elbe-Bürger*, Vienna, Austria Giampiero Girolomoni*, Verona, Italy Richard D. Granstein*, New York, USA Mieke Mommaas*, Leiden, The Netherlands Gwendalyn J. Randolph, St. Louis, MO, USA Niki Romani*, Innsbruck, Austria Sem Saeland*, Lyon, France Georg Stingl*, Vienna, Austria Patrizia Stoitzner*, Innsbruck, Austria Akira Takashima, Toledo, OH, USA Kunihiko Tamaki*, Tokio, Japan Past Workshops 1989 Oslo, Norway 1991 Lyon, France 1993 Dallas, TX, USA 1995 Scheveningen, The Netherlands 1997 Fuschl / Salzburg, Austria 1999 New York, USA 2001 Stresa, Italy 2003 Tokyo, Japan 2005 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 2007 Berne, Switzerland 2009 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 2011 Innsbruck, Austria 2 GENERAL INFORMATION Participation fees Early bird period (payment received by August 1, 2013) Payment after August 1, 2013 Registration fee 425,- Euro 525,- Euro Students* 300,- Euro 425,- Euro *should provide proof of their student's or training status with a certificate of the University resp. Head of Department Registration hours During the whole conference the registration desk in the foyer will be open 30 minutes before the daily program starts and will close 15 minutes after the end of the daily program. Please contact us for any question you may have on the meeting. Congress Organization Scientific contact & LC2013 website Registration / Payment Marcel Teunissen Department of Dermatology Academic Medical Center Meibergdreef 9 1105 AZ Amsterdam The Netherlands Phone: 0031-20-566 4812 [email protected] PDL Kongressmanagement Andreas Hofer Strasse 6 A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria Phone: 0043 512 567303 [email protected] http://www.pdl.at Congress Venue Royal Tropical Institute (Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen) Mauritskade 63 1092 AD Amsterdam Tel: 00-31-20 56 88 711 Fax: 00-31-20 66 84 579 www.kit.nl 3 SPONSORS This meeting would not be possible without the sponsoring of the following partners from the industry, as well as non-industrial organizations. We are very grateful to : Silver Sponsors Celgene, Hillingdon, UK CellGenix, Freiburg, Germany Janssen-Cilag, Tilburg, The Netherlands TissueGnostics, Vienna, Austria www.celgene.com www.cellgenix.com www.janssennederland.nl www.tissuegnostics.com Bronze Sponsors BioLegend, San Diego, CA, USA eBioScience, Vienna, Austria Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA Greiner Bio-One, Alphen a/d Rijn, The Netherlands Hyglos GmbH, Bernried, Germany Lonza Pharma, Verviers,Belgium Miltenyi Biotec, Leiden, The Netherlands R & D Systems Europe Ltd, Abingdon, UK www.biolegend.com www.ebioscience.com www.gene.com www.greinerbioone.com www.hyglos.de www.lonza.com www.miltenyibiotec.com www.RnDSystems.com Sponsors Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Celldex Therapeutics, Phillipsburg, USA Dendritics, Lyon, France ee-asi, a European Project (FP7 programme) Stichting Nationaal Huidfonds, Utrecht, The Netherlands IBL International, Amersfoort, The Netherlands Leica Microsystems, Rijswijk, The Netherlands LEO, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sanquin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Springer, Heidelberg, Germany tebu-bio, Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands The Rockefeller University Press, New York, USA www.amc.nl www.celldextherapeutics.com www.dendritics.net www.lc2013.nl www.huidfonds.nl www.IBL-International.com www.leica-microsystems.com www.leo-pharma.nl www.sanquin.nl/en www.springeronline.com www.tebu-bio.com www.rupress.org Picture of the tulips on the front by courtesy of Tineke van der Pouw Kraan. 4 SPONSORS Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors 5 SPONSORS Further Sponsors 6 LC2013 SYNOPSIS Thursday October 10, 2013 Friday October 11, 2013 Saturday October 12, 2013 Sunday October 13, 2013 Registration Registration Registration Session 1 Session 3 Session 5 Ontogeny & Immunobiology Tolerance & Immunity Vaccination Coffee break Coffee break Coffee break 11:30 Session 1 continued Session 3 continued Session 5 continued Vaccination 12:00 Ontogeny & Immunobiology Tolerance & Immunity 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:30 13:00 Lunch & Poster viewing 13:30 14:00 Lunch & Poster viewing Wrapping-up, Awards, Invitations, Concluding Remarks Lunch (only for attendees of Satellite meeting) 14:30 Session 2 Session 4 Infection & Pattern Recognition Clinical Immunology satellite meeting by EE-ASI consortium Coffee break Coffee break "Antigen presentation in the skin" 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 Session 2 continued 17:30 Infection & Pattern Recognition 18:00 Registration Session 4 continued Clinical Immunology 18:30 19:00 19:30 Opening Session 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 Social Evening Welcome Reception 22:00 7 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM October 10, 2013 OPENING SESSION Chair: Marcel Teunissen 19:00 Marcel Teunissen – Welcome and Opening of LC2013 19:15 Georg Stingl – Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria Langerhans cell research 1973 – 2013 : a journey into uncertainty 19:45 Frank Nestle – St. John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College, London, UK Dermal dendritic cells: key sentinels of the skin immune system 20:30 Welcome Reception with Buffet 8 October 11, 2013 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM SESSION 1 — ONTOGENY & IMMUNOBIOLOGY Chairs: Adelheid Elbe-Bürger & Kenji Kabashima 09:00 Florent Ginhoux – Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Singapore Ontogeny of dendritic cells 09:30 Herbert Strobl – Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria Molecular mechanisms underyling Langerhans cell differentiation 10:00 Thomas Hieronymus – RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany Long-term and short-term Langerhans cell homeostasis 10:30 Coffee break Chairs: Bianca Blom & Frank Nestle 11:00 Keisuke Nagao – Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan Hair follicles regulate immune homeostasis in skin 11:30 Barbara Schraml Defining dendritic cells by ontogeny 11:45 Jia Tong Loh The physiological role of polycomb group protein Ezh2 in Langerhans cells 12:00 Javed Mohammed Keratinocytes control Langerhans cell homeostasis by TGFβ1 activating Integrin β6 12:15 Benjamin Voisin Homeostatic regulation of steady-state murine Langerhans cells under the control of the hair follicle cycle 12:30 Thomas Bauer Vitamin K-dependent receptors in control of Langerhans cell differentiation and skin immunity 12:45 Kenji Kabashima Inducible Skin-Associated Lymphoid Tissues (iSALT): An essential architecture for efficient memory T cell activation in the skin 13:00 Lunch & Poster Viewing 9 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM October 11, 2013 SESSION 2 — INFECTIONS & PATTERN RECOGNITION Chairs: Patrizia Stoitzner & Keisuke Nagao 14:30 James Young – Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, USA Molecular clues to the superiority of human CD34+ HPC-derived Langerhans cells for stimulating CTLs 15:00 Eynav Klechevsky – Washington University, St.Louis, MO, USA What makes human Langerhans cells so special? Lessons learned using systems biology approaches 15:30 16:00 Teunis Geijtenbeek – Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands C-type lectins in infection and immunity Coffee break Chairs: Esther de Jong & Florent Ginhoux 16:30 Dan Kaplan – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Skin dendritic cell subsets and T helper cell phenotype 17:00 Sakeen Kashem Candida albicans engagement of Dectin-1 on LC is required for IL-6 induction and Th17 differentiation 17:15 André Said Autophagy restricts IL-23 secretion in monocyte-derived Langerhans-like cells 17:30 Carla Ribeiro Autophagy restricts HIV-1 infection in human Langerhans cells 17:45 Wilfried Posch IgG opsonization impedes DC-mediated HIV-CTL priming 18:00 Yonatan Ganor Calcitonin Gene-Relate Peptide (CGRP) inhibits LC-mediated HIV-1 transmission via an autocrine/paracrine feedback mechanism 18:15 Karin Loser RANK-RANKL-activated Langerhans cells are critically involved in the upregulation of MHC class I-restricted anti-viral immunity during Herpes simplex virus infections 18:30 Assembly of the International Committee on Langerhans Cell Workshops 10 October 12, 2013 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM SESSION 3 — TOLERANCE & IMMUNITY Chairs: Eynav Klechevsky & Teunis Geijtenbeek 09:00 Michael Girardi – Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Unintended roles of Langerhans cells in cutaneous carcinogenesis 09:30 Muzlifah Haniffa – Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Human dendritic cell subsets 10:00 10:30 Esther de Jong – Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Functional specialization of skin dendritic cell subsets Coffee break Chairs: Muzlifah Haniffa & Georg Stingl 11:00 Knut Schäkel – University of Heidelberg, Germany Slan (6-sulfo LacNAc) dendritic cells: a pro-inflammatory population of dermal dendritic cells 11:30 Tal Capucha Renewal of oral Langerhans cells in steady state and inflammatory conditions 11:45 Sandrine Dubrac The xenobiotic receptor pregnane X receptor modulates migration and carcinogen metabolism in Langerhans cells 12:00 Carolina Martinez-Cingolani Molecular mechanisms implicated in Thymic Stromal Lymphopoïetininduced dendritic cell migration 12:15 Thomas Döbel Immune complex-mediated recruitment of slanDCs and NK cells to vascular endothelium 12:30 Botond Igyártó Langerhans cells and Langerin+ dermal dendritic cells promote humoral responses through the generation of follicular helper T cells 12:45 Elodie Segura Characterization of the intrinsic cross-presentation ability of human dendritic cell subsets 13:00 Lunch & Poster Viewing 11 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM October 12, 2013 SESSION 4 — CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY Chairs: James Young & Matthew Collin 14:30 Bertrand Dubois – INSERM, Lyon, France Langerhans cells dictate skin reactivity to weak contact allergens 15:00 Natalija Novak – University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany The role of human Langerhans cells of the oral mucosa and the skin in allergic diseases 15:30 Björn Clausen – University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany Dissecting the dendritic cell network in psoriasis-like skin disease 16:00 Coffee break Chairs: Niki Romani & Björn Clausen 16:30 Matthew Collin – Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Langerin expression and mutated BRAF in human dendritic cells: more clues about the origin of Langerhans cell histiocytosis 17:00 Elisabeth Glitzner The role of dendritic cells in psoriasis 17:15 Rikke Bech Interleukin 20 protein locates to distinct mononuclear cells in psoriatic skin 17:30 Rieneke van de Ven Transcriptional profiling of human Langerhans cells in tumor draining sentinel lymph nodes 17:45 Felix Scholz Langerhans Cells suppress innate skin inflammation via liver CXCR6+ NK cells 18:00 Merilyn Hibma Langerhans cell homeostasis and activation is altered in epidermis expressing human papillomavirus type 16 E7 18:15 Ilona J. Kosten Technical advance: anti-CXCL12 inhibits mature LC migration in immunocompetent skin equivalents exposed to allergens 19:30 Social Evening with Dinner 12 October 13, 2013 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM SESSION 5 — VACCINATION Chairs: Sandrine Henri & Dan Kaplan 09:00 09:30 Béhazine Combadière – INSERM, Paris, France Langerhans cell's pivotal role in tailored immunity to vaccines Yvette van Kooyk – Free University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Glycan-based targeting of vaccines to Langerhans cells and dendritic cells in the skin 10:00 Laura Lozza Crosstalk between human DC subsets promotes anti-mycobacterial activity and CD8 T cell stimulation in response to tuberculosis vaccine Bacille Calmette–Guérin 10:15 Marija Zaric Efficient cross-priming and Th1 induction by Langerhans cells following microneedle-mediated nanoparticle transdermal vaccination 10:30 Coffee break Chairs: Yvette van Kooyk & Knut Schäkel 11:00 Adrien Kissenpfennig – Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Uk Can Langerhans cells take the sting out of vaccines? 11:30 Karsten Mahnke Targeting of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein to the DC/LC antigen receptor DEC205 in vivo induces immune suppression and prevents allergic experimental encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice 11:45 Cynthia M. Fehres C-type lectin mediated uptake of glycan modified antigens by primary human Langerhans cells results in cross presentation to CD8+ T cells 12:00 Niki Romani – Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria Wrapping up LC2013: the current status of Langerhans cells, their future and beyond 12:30 Huidfonds Travel Award & Rockefeller Press Travel Award Greiner Poster Award & Springer Poster Award 12:45 Elodie Segura – Invitation to DC2014 in Tours, France 12:50 Keisuke Nagao, Tatsuyoshi Kawamura and Kenji Kabashima – Invitation to LC2015 in Kyoto, Japan 12:55 Concluding remarks and Closing LC2013 13 SATELLITE MEETING October 13, 2013 EE-ASI FP7 programme – LC2013 satellite meeting “Antigen presentation in the skin” Agenda Morning: Joint session with the LC2013 (Vaccination) 13.00 – 14.00 Lunch (registration) Afternoon: 1st EE‐ASI Workshop 14.00 – 14.05 Welcome – Sandrine Henri, Inserm, Marseille, France 14.05 – 14.15 The EE‐ASI programme – Colin Dayan, Cardiff University 14.15 – 14.45 Patrizia Stoitzner, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria: “Combination of molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy: the future of personalized medicine” 14.45 – 15.15 Marc Vocanson, University of Lyon, Lyon, France: "Skin tolerance to haptens" 15.15 – 15.45 2 Short oral presentations 15.45 – 16.15 Coffee break 16.15 – 16.45 Yasmine Belkaid, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA: “Microbiota: The skin secret weapon.” 16.45– 17.15 Michael Sixt, Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria: “From the skin to the LN” 17.15 – 17.30 Concluding remarks The short oral presentations of the afternoon session will be selected from abstracts submitted to the EE‐ASI Workshop and to be addressed to Sandrine HENRI ([email protected]‐mrs.fr) and Marie Clotteau (anna.boitard@inserm‐transfert.fr). EE‐ASI is a collaborative research project supported by the Health Cooperation work programme of the 7th Framework Programme for the Research and Technological Development of the European Commission. 14 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM 15 INVITED SPEAKER October 10, 2013 Georg Stingl – Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria Langerhans cell research 1973 – 2013 : a journey into uncertainty Space for your notes : 16 19.15 – 19.45 19.45 – 20.15 October 10, 2013 INVITED SPEAKER Frank Nestle – St. John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College, London, UK Dermal dendritic cells: key sentinels of the skin immune system Space for your notes : 17 INVITED SPEAKER October 11, 2013 Florent Ginhoux – Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Singapore Ontogeny of dendritic cells Space for your notes : 18 09.00 – 09.30 09.30 – 10.00 October 11, 2013 Herbert Strobl – Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria Molecular mechanisms underyling Langerhans cell differentiation Space for your notes : 19 INVITED SPEAKER INVITED SPEAKER October 11, 2013 Thomas Hieronymus – RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany Long-term and short-term Langerhans cell homeostasis Space for your notes : 20 10.00 – 10.30 11.00 – 11.30 October 11, 2013 Keisuke Nagao – Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan Hair follicles regulate immune homeostasis in skin Space for your notes : 21 INVITED SPEAKER SELECTED ABSTRACT October 11, 2013 11.30 – 11.45 Defining dendritic cells by ontogeny Barbara U. Schraml1, Janneke van Blijswijk1, Santiago Zelenay1, Paul G. Whitney1, Andrew Filby2, Neil C. Rogers1, Caetano Reis e Sousa1 1 Immunobiology Laboratory, , Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London WC2A 3LY, United Kingdom 2 Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London WC2A 3LY, United Kingdom Mononuclear phagocytes sample the environment for signs of damage or infection. The classification of these cells as macrophages or dendritic cells (DC) has traditionally been done on the basis of differences in cell morphology, expression of specific markers or of select functional attributes. However, these attributes are not absolute and often overlap, leading to difficulties in cell type identification. To circumvent these issues, we have generated a model to define DC based on their ontogenetic descendence from a committed precursor. We show that in mice precursors of conventional DC but not other leukocytes are marked by expression of DNGR-1/CLEC9A. We generated a mouse model to genetically label Clec9a-expressing conventional DC precursors and their progeny with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Genetic labeling of these cells and their progeny specifically traces cells traditionally ascribed to the DC lineage and the restriction is maintained after infection. Notably, in some tissues cells previously thought monocytes/macrophages are in fact descendants from DC precursors. These studies provide the first in vivo model for lineage tracing of DC and allow the definition of DC based on ontogenetic rather than phenotypic, morphological or functional criteria. These studies establish DC as an independent immune lineage and distinguish them from other leukocytes, thus paving the way to unraveling the functional complexity of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Notes: 22 11.45 – 12.00 October 11, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT The physiological role of polycomb group protein Ezh2 in Langerhans cells Jia Tong Loh 1, Merry Gunawan 1, Florent Ginhoux 2, I-Hsin Su 1 1 Division of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 2 Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore Polycomb group protein Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2) is a histone methyltransferase which regulates gene expression through the modification of chromatin structure. Our recent studies have demonstrated that Ezh2 can act on a novel cytosolic substrate talin in dendritic cells (DCs), thereby regulating DCs’ integrin signaling and adhesion dynamics. Here, we have identified the expression of Ezh2 to be pivotal in the regulation of Langerhans cells (LCs) migration during steady state and under inflammatory conditions. Even though Ezh2-deficient LCs were able to disengage from the surrounding keratinocytes, they failed to exit from the epidermis, leading to their reduced frequencies observed in the dermis and skin-draining lymph nodes. In particular, our data highlighted a crucial role of Ezh2 in mediating LCs transmigration across the basement membrane, as the migratory capacity of Ezh2-deficient LCs became attenuated upon encountering this barrier situated between the epidermis and dermis. These LCs were observed to form enlarged focal adhesions, which led to their enhanced spreading on laminin, a major constituent of the basement membrane. Hence, Ezh2 may regulate skin immunity through its control on LCs migration. The molecular mechanisms regulating these processes will be further determined. Notes: 23 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 11, 2013 12.00 – 12.15 Keratinocytes control Langerhans cell homeostasis by TGFβ1 activating Integrin β6 Javed Mohammed, Elizabeth S. Jarrett, Sakeen Kashem, Daniel H. Kaplan Department of Dermatology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA Ablation of Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 (TGFβ1) or the TGFβ type II receptor selectively in Langerhans cells (LC) leads to their spontaneous migration to skin-draining lymph nodes (LN). TGFβ1 is secreted as a homodimer that is non-covalently complexed with the latency-associated-peptide (LAP). TGFβ1 activators mediate LAP/TGFβ1 dissociations thereby allowing active TGFβ1 homodimer to bind to its receptor. Mice with a mutated RGD sequence in LAP completely lack epidermal LC suggesting a requirement of RGD-binding integrin αvβ6 (itgβ6) for epidermal LC homeostasis. αvβ6 is expressed by bulge keratinocytes (KC) and interfollicular epidermal (IFE) KC subsets but is absent from hematopoietic cells within the epidermal compartment. Since bulge KC inhibit recruitment of LC precursors in to the epidermis, we hypothesized that αvβ6 expressed by IFE KC is required to prevent spontaneous LC migration. Consistent with our hypothesis, adult Itgβ6-/- mice have fewer LC that were distributed near hair follicles but were absent from the IFE. There were also increased numbers of total LC and BrdU+ LC in the LN of itgβ6-/- mice compared with controls. In addition, a higher percentage of epidermal LC in Itgβ6-/- mice expressed Ki67 and intradermal injection of Itgβ6 neutralizing antibody resulted in LC activation. To confirm that KC derived Itgβ6 is required for epidermal retention of steady-state LC, we generated bone marrow chimeras with WT or Itgβ6-/- mice as recipients of congenic WT bone marrow cells. WT LC failed to populate epidermis of Itgβ6-/recipients and had similar distribution to Itgβ6-/- recipient LC demonstrating that KC-derived Itgβ6 is required to maintain LC homeostasis. We also observed that IFE reduce expression of αvβ6 in response to exposure to UV light. These data are consistent with a model in which regulated expression of αvβ6 by KC can control LC activation and migration. Notes: 24 12.15 – 12.30 October 11, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Homeostatic regulation of steady-state murine Langerhans cells under the control of the hair follicle cycle Benjamin Voisin1, Dimitri Chartoire1, Pascal Schneider2, Christine Kowalczyk2, Vincent Flacher1 and Christopher G. Mueller1 1 CNRS UPR3572 Immunopathologie et Chimie Thérapeutique, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et cellulaire, Strasbourg, France. 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland Hair follicle (HF) is a skin dynamic structure which, after establishing at embryonic stage (morphogenesis), undergoes continuous renewing in a cycle composed of three phases: growth (anagen), apoptotic regression (catagen) and resting (telogen). This cycle triggers HF microenvironment modifications. Langerhans cells (LCs) form a dense epithelial network, maintained by an in situ LC self-renewal, and show close association with HFs. In juvenile wild-type mice, which display synchronized HF cycle, we observed that LCs had a higher rate of proliferation during the anagen. Anagen-associated enhancement of LC renewal occurred mostly around HFs and was independent of a CX3CR1+ LC precursor infiltration. Accordingly, inducing anagen by depilation of wild-type adult mice led to increased proliferation of LCs. On the other hand, upon interruption of HF cycle in the Rankl-/- mice, LCs displayed strongly reduced proliferation ability. Moreover, in Eddar-/- mice lacking HF morphogenesis in the tail skin, LCs did establish an epidermal network but their self-renewal was not promoted in anagen. Finally, in addition to proliferative bursts, HF cycle phases correlated with LC migration waves, since lymph nodes draining catagen/telogen skin contained more LCs than those draining anagen skin. Altogether, our results bring further insight into LC homeostasis, showing that the HF exerts a critical control on LC proliferation and emigration in steady-state mouse skin throughout life. Notes: 25 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 11, 2013 12.30 – 12.45 Vitamin K-dependent receptors in control of Langerhans cell differentiation and skin immunity Thomas Bauer1,2, Anna Zagórska3, Jennifer Jurkin1, Nighat Yasmin1, René Köffel1,2, Susanne Richter1, Bernhard Gesslbauer1, Greg Lemke3,4 and Herbert Strobl1,2 1 Institute of Immunology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria 2 Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Center of Molecular Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria 3 Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory 4 Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis Laboratory, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037 On the outermost edge of the body a dense network of dendritic cells (DCs), the Langerhans cells (LCs), represent the first immune barrier. The establishment and maintenance of this epidermal network is dependent on the cytokine transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) expressed by keratinocytes (KC) and LCs. We could recently identify a crucial downstream effector of TGF-β1, the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl. Axl belongs to the TAM receptor family, with the additional members Tyro3 and Mer, and gets activated through the vitamin K-dependent ligands Gas6 and Protein S. Axl mediates parts of the TGF-β1 effects on LC differentiation, enhancement of phagocytosis and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling. Moreover, the activity of the TAM receptors was crucial for resolving antigen-specific T-cell mediated skin inflammation in mice. In line with this, constitutive Axl is activated and Mer is neo-induced in human skin LCs in response to allergens and both of these genes are controlled by TGF-β1. Dysfunction of these receptors might lead to autoimmune/ inflammatory skin diseases such as lupus erythematosus, psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. We now aim to better characterize downstream effectors of TAM receptors during LC differentiation/ activation. Addition of vitamin K to serum-free human LC differentiation cultures, in order to activate the endogenous ligands Gas6 and Protein S, results in Axl dependent positive effects on LC differentiation and the expression of several LC specific and anti-inflammatory signature genes. Additionally, we identified for the first time a second vitamin K-dependent receptor-ligand system downstream of TGF-β1 in LCs, the Protein C receptor system, which is implicated in wound healing and DC specific anti-inflammatory effects. Together, these receptors might secure immunologic tolerance at body surfaces. Notes: 26 12.45 – 13.00 October 11, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Inducible Skin-Associated Lymphoid Tissues (iSALT): An essential architecture for efficient memory T cell activation in the skin Kenji Kabashima Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Although a key step during secondary challenge is antigen presentation to peripheral memory T cells, it remains largely unclear how antigen presenting cells and memory T cells encounter each other efficiently in the periphery. In the skin, the concept of skin-associated lymphoid tissues (SALT) has been proposed; however, what happens to various components of SALT following antigen exposure is not well characterized. Here, we report the identification of immune cell clusters in the skin induced by antigen challenge, which we call inducible SALT (iSALT), using a murine contact hypersensitivity (CHS) model. We report that dermal dendritic cells (DCs), but not epidermal Langerhans cells, were required for the elicitation of CHS and that DCs formed clusters in dermal perivascular areas and that they interacted with skin-infiltrating memory T cells for several hours. This sustained interaction was required for in situ proliferation and activation of memory T cells in an antigen- and integrin LFA-1dependent manner. Intriguingly, DC clustering in the dermis was abrogated by depletion of skin macrophages, and DCs were attracted toward macrophages both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, IL1α treatment induced CXCL2 production from M2-phenotype macrophages, and DC clustering was suppressed with blockade of either IL-1R or CXCR2. Taken together, our findings suggest that dermal DCs and memory T cells form immune cell clusters, iSALT, for their efficient encounter in the skin via macrophage activation by IL-1. This sustained conjugation between DCs and memory T cells is essential for establishment of the effector phase of acquired cutaneous immunity. Notes: 27 INVITED SPEAKER October 11, 2013 14.30 – 15.00 James Young – Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, USA Molecular clues to the superiority of human CD34+ HPC-derived Langerhans cells for stimulating CTLs Space for your notes : 28 15.00 – 15.30 October 11, 2013 INVITED SPEAKER Eynav Klechevsky – Washington University, St.Louis, MO, USA What makes human Langerhans cells so special? Lessons learned using systems biology approaches Space for your notes : 29 INVITED SPEAKER October 11, 2013 15.30 – 16.00 Teunis Geijtenbeek – Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands C-type lectins in infection and immunity Space for your notes : 30 16.30 – 17.00 October 11, 2013 Dan Kaplan – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Skin dendritic cell subsets and T helper cell phenotype Space for your notes : 31 INVITED SPEAKER SELECTED ABSTRACT October 11, 2013 17.00 – 17.15 Candida albicans engagement of Dectin-1 on LC is required for IL-6 induction and Th17 differentiation Sakeen W. Kashem, Botond Z. Igyártó, Daniel H. Kaplan Department of Dermatology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, MN Infection with extracellular bacteria and fungi are a global burden resulting in millions of hospitalizations and deaths per year. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are a recently appreciated subset of CD4+ helper cells that are involved in protection against such pathogens. During a superficial skin infection with Candida albicans we have previously found that Langerhans cells (LC) and CD103+ dermal DC (dDC) were necessary and sufficient for in vivo induction of Th17 and Th1, respectively. To explore whether CD11b+ dDC participate in induction of Th17, we infected huLangerin-DTA x BatF3-/mice with lack both LC and CD103+ dDC, as well as MGL-2DTR-eGFP/+ mice that allow for the DT induced ablation of most CD11b+ dDC. In mice lacking LC and CD103+ dDC, T cell proliferation was unaffected but induction of both Th1 and Th17 was defective. In contrast, in the absence of most CD11b+ dDC, T cell proliferation was reduced but induction of Th1 and Th17 was unaffected. Th17 differentiation depends on the cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β and IL-23 that are all expressed by LC. We generated mice with LC-specific ablation of each cytokine using either cre-lox or bone-marrow chimeras. Only LC-derived IL-6 was required for Th17 induction. Notably, we found that skin infection with a strain of C. albicans that does not engage Dectin-1 resulted in diminished LC expression of IL-6 and failed to induce Th17 differentiation. Thus, we have identified that each of the 3 major skin DC subsets has a unique and non-redundant function during adaptive responses to C. albicans skin infection: CD11b+ dDC are required for optimal T cell proliferation; CD103+ dDC are required for Th1; and LC via Dectin-1 mediated induction of IL-6 are required for Th17. Notes: 32 17.15 – 17.30 October 11, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Autophagy restricts IL-23 secretion in monocyte-derived Langerhans-like cells André Said, Günther Weindl Institute of Pharmacy (Pharmacology and Toxicology), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany Recent studies suggest a role for autophagy in the secretion of IL-1 cytokines, thereby regulating and affecting the development of inflammatory diseases. The antimalarial drug and autophagy inhibitor chloroquine has long been considered as a potential trigger of drug-induced or drug-aggravated psoriasis, where mainly activated Th17 cells sustain a persistent inflammation. Here, we investigated the effect of IL-1beta on monocyte-derived Langerhans-like cells (MoLC) and dendritic cells (MoDC) in the presence of chloroquine as a lysosomotropic agent. To assess potential alterations in the release of Th1 or Th17 related cytokines, we stimulated MoLC and MoDC with IL-1beta alone or in combination with TNF and different TLR ligands. Interestingly, treatment with chloroquine enhanced IL-6 production but reduced IL-12p70 release in both subsets and IL-23 in MoDC, whereas MoLC showed strongly increased IL-23 secretion. Moreover, intracellular FACS analysis revealed a decrease in IL12p40 production, confirming the lower IL-12p70 release in both subsets. The enhanced IL-23 release in response to chloroquine was dependent on IL-1beta and IL-1alpha and also observed with the autophagy inhibitors hydroxychloroquine and bafilomycin. Treatment with the specific TGF-betaR1 inhibitor LY364947 did not suppress IL-23 release by activated MoLC, excluding a critical involvement of TGF-beta as key regulator of MoLC differentiation. Noteworthy, despite the similarity in IL-1R and TLR2/MyD88 signaling, stimulation with the TLR2/1 ligand Pam3CSK4 in the presence of chloroquine induced IL-23 in both MoLC and MoDC. Taken together, our findings suggest a potentially essential role of human Langerhans cells in chloroquine-provoked psoriasis through promotion of Th17 differentiation by increasing IL-23 and IL-6 levels in respective skin lesions. Notes: 33 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 11, 2013 17.30 – 17.45 Autophagy restricts HIV-1 infection in human Langerhans cells Carla M. S. Ribeiro, Ramin Sarrami-Forooshani, Linda M. van den Berg, Sonja I. Gringhuis and Teunis B.H. Geijtenbeek Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sexual transmission across genital mucosa is the main route of HIV-1 infection. Langerhans cells (LCs) reside in the mucosal epithelia such as vagina, foreskin as well as in the skin epidermis and are the first immune cells to encounter HIV-1 upon sexual transmission. LCs express the C-type lectin receptor Langerin which prevents HIV-1 infection of LCs and subsequent HIV-1 transmission. Langerin captures HIV-1 into Birbeck granules where the virus is thought to be degraded. Although this Langerin-specific internalization pathway is central to the ability of LCs to degrade HIV-1, the function of Birbeck granules and the molecular mechanisms involved in HIV-1 degradation are largely unknown. Autophagy can function as an antiviral mechanism by targeting viral components or virions for lysosomal degradation. Here we investigated the role of autophagy during HIV-1 infection in LCs. The molecular mechanisms involved in viral clearance by LCs were investigated by using inducers or inhibitors of the autophagy pathway and by silencing key components of the autophagy pathway. HIV1 induces autophagy in LCs and boosting autophagy-mediated lysis enhances HIV-1 degradation in LCs. Moreover, loss of autophagy-mediated lysis by silencing autophagosomal molecules Atg5 and Atg16L1 resulted in a striking increase of viral DNA integration into the host genome in LCs. Coimmunoprecipitation studies confirmed the co-localization of Langerin and autophagosomal molecules after HIV-1 internalization in LCs. This suggests a protective role for autophagy in HIV-1 infection after virus uptake. In addition, our findings that Birbeck granules are caveolar vesicles further suggests that caveolar-mediated uptake is linked to viral degradation. Our data show that the LC-specific internalization route for HIV-1 intersects with the autophagy pathway and that the autophagy pathway is essential to mount an effective antiviral immune response against HIV-1 in LCs. Notes: 34 17.45 – 18.00 October 11, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT IgG opsonization impedes DC-mediated HIV-CTL priming Wilfried Posch1, Gianfranco Pancino2, Cornelia Lass-Flörl1, Arnaud Moris3, Asier Saez-Cirion2, Doris Wilflingseder1 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Schöpfstrasse 41/311, Innsbruck, Austria 2 Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris, France 3 INSERM UMRS-945, Infection and Immunity, Hôpital La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), 91 Bd de l´Hôpital, Paris, France Potent effector functions of the HIV-specific CD8+ T cell (CTL) response are supposed to be responsible to control the virus. The opsonization pattern of the pathogen can modify antigen capture, its presentation as well as the priming of specific CTL responses. Based on our observation that higher levels of antibodies are deposited on the HIV surface using plasma from HIV-positive individuals with higher viral loads, we analyzed the impact of IgG-opsonization on the antigenpresenting capacity of DCs. We here show that IgG opsonization of the virus is associated with a loss of the CTL-stimulatory capacity by DCs as represented by reduced proliferation, low activation of HIVspecific CTL clones and a weak antiviral activity. Our ex vivo and in vitro observations illustrate a close correlation between the HIV opsonization pattern and DC-induced expansion and differentiation of specific CTLs. They are relevant regarding HIV vaccination strategies as they suggest that strong, transient antibody responses after vaccination might contribute to weaken CTL-induction by modulation of DC function. Notes: 35 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 11, 2013 18.00 – 18.15 Calcitonin Gene-Relate Peptide (CGRP) inhibits LC-mediated HIV-1 transmission via an autocrine/paracrine feedback mechanism Yonatan Ganor1,2,3, Anne-Sophie Drillet-Dangeard1,2,3, Christian Federici1,2,3, Morgane Bomsel1,2,3 1 Mucosal Entry of HIV-1 and Mucosal Immunity, Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Cochin Institute, CNRS (UMR 8104), Paris, France 2 INSERM U1016, Paris, France 3 Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France In mucosal epithelia, peripheral neurons are in contact with resident LCs. We recently reported (Ganor, JEM, in press) that the peripheral neuropeptide Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) strongly inhibits mucosal HIV-1 transmission by interfering with multiple steps of LC-mediated HIV-1 transfer to T-cells. We used now differential gene arrays comparing untreated/CGRP-treated LCs and substantiating experiments (RT-PCR, flow cytometry, fluorescent microscopy, ELISA) to further understand the anti-HIV-1 potential of CGRP. This analysis confirms our previous findings that CGRP activates NFκB, increases langerin and decreases integrins expression. Moreover, expression of the HIV-1 co-receptor CCR5 appears decreased, while CXCR4 is increased, correlating with inhibition of R5 but not X4 HIV-1 transfer by CGRP. New candidate proteins that might modulate HIV-1 binding, internalization and degradation in LCs are also identified. Unexpectedly, transcription and expression of CGRP itself and its cognate receptor in LCs are upregulated by CGRP. Hence, CGRP might engage a positive feedback mechanism that would further enhance its anti-HIV-1 activity. Together, these experiments demonstrate the complexity of the interactions between CGRP, LCs and HIV-1. This information might be used therapeutically to enhance the anti-HIV-1 activity of CGRP. Finally, in addition to their morphological resemblance with neurons, LCs present some actual neuronal characteristics. Notes: 36 18.15 – 18.30 October 11, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT RANK-RANKL-activated Langerhans cells are critically involved in the up-regulation of MHC class I-restricted anti-viral immunity during Herpes simplex virus infections Lars Klenner1, Wali Hafezi2, Björn E. Clausen3, Thomas A. Luger1, Joachim E. Kühn2, Karin Loser1 1 Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany Medical Microbiology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany 3 Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Department of Immunology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2 Infectious diseases frequently occur in humans and Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) represents the viral pathogen causing the majority of cutaneous infections. Viral infections are controlled by the immune system and cytotoxic CD8+ effector T cells have been shown to play a crucial role during the clearance of acute viral infections from the skin. In mouse models of cutaneous HSV-1 infection it has been shown that effector T cell priming requires the uptake of HSV-1 antigens by epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) and the subsequent antigen transfer to lymph node resident dendritic cells in a CD86 dependent process. Since RANK-RANKL signalling is critical for dendritic cell – T cell communication we investigated whether RANK-RANKL interactions might play a role in cutaneous anti-viral immunity. Therefore, transgenic mice over-expressing RANKL (CD254) in basal keratinocytes (K14-RANKL tg) were epicutaneously infected with HSV-1. Interestingly, K14 RANKL tg mice developed significantly smaller skin lesions compared to wildtype (wt) controls, which was accompanied by reduced numbers of virus particles and decreased virus replication in tg skin, thus indicating increased primary anti-viral immune responses in K14 RANKL tg mice. In support of this, flow cytometry and immunohistology revealed up-regulated levels of total CD8+ T cells as well as an enhanced expression of markers associated with cytotoxic activity, like IFN-gamma, Fas ligand, granzymes, perforin or KLRG1, in CD8+ T cells from K14-RANKL tg compared to wt mice. To analyze the specific role of CD8+ T cells for anti-viral immune responses we isolated CD8+ effector T cells from HSV-1-infected wt as well as K14-RANKL tg donors, transferred them into naive congenic recipients and subsequently, infected recipient mice with HSV-1. The transfer of CD8+ T cells from HSV-1-infected wt donors resulted in a slight reduction of skin lesion size compared to recipients that received PBS instead of CD8+ T cells. However, mice that were injected with CD8+ T cells from HSV1-infected K14-RANKL tg donors failed to develop inflammatory skin lesions upon HSV-1 challenge suggesting a strong MHC class I-restricted anti-viral immune response. To investigate whether CD8+ T cells are indeed essential for the increased anti-viral immunity in K14-RANKL tg mice we depleted CD8+ T cells in wt and tg mice prior to HSV-1 infection using specific antibodies. Upon HSV-1 challenge CD8-depleted wt mice developed skin lesions similar to those observed in mice treated with an IgG control antibody. Strikingly, CD8-depletion in K14-RANKL tg mice led to a substantial increase in skin lesion size. Since during the induction of cutaneous anti-viral immunity LC represent the primary DC subset getting into contact with the virus, we analyzed the effect of RANK-RANKL signalling on the phenotype and function of LC. Whereas HSV-1 infection is known to induce apoptosis in LC from wt skin TUNEL staining of lesional skin revealed that tg LC were protected from virus-induced apoptosis. Moreover, we observed an up-regulated expression of the activation marker CD86 in LC from HSV-1-infected tg skin potentially suggesting an increased T cell stimulatory capacity. To elucidate the role of RANK-RANKL signaling on LC function during cutaneous HSV-1 infection in more detail K14-RANKL tg mice were bred to Langerin-DTR mice and LC were depleted from double mutants by injecting diphtheria toxin prior to epicutaneous HSV-1 challenge. Notably, LCdepleted K14-RANKL tg mice developed skin lesions similar to wt controls indicating a critical role of LC for the induction of anti-viral immunity in tg mice. Additionally, the depletion of LC from K14-RANKL tg skin impaired the expansion of anti-viral CD8+ effector T cells. Together, these data indicate that cutaneous RANK-RANKL signaling is critically involved in the priming of HSV-1-specific CD8+ effector T cells. This effect was initiated by the up-regulation of activating co-stimulatory molecules as well as the prevention of virus-induced apoptosis in LC. Notes: 37 INVITED SPEAKER October 12, 2013 Michael Girardi – Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Unintended roles of Langerhans cells in cutaneous carcinogenesis Space for your notes : 38 09.00 – 09.30 09.30 – 10.00 October 12, 2013 Muzlifah Haniffa – Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Human dendritic cell subsets Space for your notes : 39 INVITED SPEAKER INVITED SPEAKER October 12, 2013 10.00 – 10.30 Esther de Jong – Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Functional specialization of skin dendritic cell subsets Space for your notes : 40 11.00 – 11.30 October 12, 2013 INVITED SPEAKER Knut Schäkel – University of Heidelberg, Germany Slan (6-sulfo LacNAc) dendritic cells: a pro-inflammatory population of dermal dendritic cells Space for your notes : 41 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 12, 2013 11.30 – 11.45 Renewal of oral Langerhans cells in steady state and inflammatory conditions Tal Capucha1, Gabriel Mizraji1, Hadas Segev1, Yaffa Shaul1, Katya Zelentsova1, Luba Eli-Berchoer1, Asaf Wilensky2 and Avi-Hai Hovav1 1 Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel 2 Department of Periodontology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel Whereas our understanding regarding the origin and function of epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) increased tremendously over the past decades, less is known about LCs located in the oral epithelium (oLCs). As the most peripheral antigen presenting cells of the oral cavity, oLCs are constantly exposed to the immense oral microbiota and are required to distinguish between innocuous and harmful microbes. We recently demonstrated the critical role of oLCs in down-modulating local inflammation and tissue destruction by oral pathogen. Given the importance of oLCs in oral immunity, it is crucial to understand how these cells are maintained during steady-state condition and inflammation. By using bone marrow chimeras we found that in contrast to epidermal LCs, oLCs are renewing from bone marrow precursors. Continuous administration of BrdU indicated that oLCs are labeled in a faster kinetics than epidermal LCs, where complete labeling was observed three weeks after treatment. Similar renewing kinetics were observed following in vivo ablation of langerin-expressing cells in langerin-DTR mice. To monitor the repopulation kinetics of oLCs under inflammatory condition, we infected mice with the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis via an oral gavage. Two days after infection, the frequencies of oLCs were considerably reduced in correlation with their arrival to the cervical LNs. A gradual repopulation was observed on the following days whereas 10 days after infection the frequencies of oLCs in the gingiva were completely restored. Taken together, we demonstrated that in contrast to epidermal LCs, oral mucosal LCs originates from circulating bone marrow precursors and are completely renewed within three weeks. Under inflammatory condition, steady state oLCs departure the epithelium rapidly and the tissue is swiftly repopulated by inflammatory LCs. Such differential ontogeny might also represent a divergent functional specialization between oral and epidermal LCs. Notes: 42 11.45 – 12.00 October 12, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT The xenobiotic receptor pregnane X receptor modulates migration and carcinogen metabolism in Langerhans cells Matthias Schmuth1, Florian Sparber1, Andreas Elentner1, Susanne Ebner2, Barbara Del Frari3, and Sandrine Dubrac1 1 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. 2 VTT Daniel Swarovski Labor, Department of Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria 3 Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Esthetic Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Skin exposure to haptens, microbes or chemicals including carcinogens induces migration of skin DC. The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a transcription factor activated by xenobiotics, hormones and cholesterol metabolites. We here found that PXR is expressed in different subsets of mouse and human immature dendritic cells (DC) especially Langerhans cells (LC) where it controls CCR7 expression. Furthermore, PXR modulates expression of TGF-β, SMAD3 and SOCS-1 in epidermal cells with expression of TGF-β preceding that of SOCS-1 and SMAD3. In LC, PXR signals via the TGF-β pathway by preventing the down-regulation of active form of smad2/3 that normally occurs upon LC maturation. Furthermore, neutralization of TGF-β reverses the effects of PXR activation on CCR7, SOCS-1 and SMAD3 expression. In vivo, PXR deficiency increases migration of LC after skin exposure to a hapten (TNCB) but also to a carcinogen (DMBA) and delays appearance of chemicallyinduced papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma. Promotion of LC migration in PXR deficient mice after topical application of DMBA may result from a protection against DMBA-induced cell death that occurs in wild type LC. Thus, PXR could be important for the metabolism of chemicals by LC. Accordingly, we found that a single topical application of DMBA up-regulates PXR and its well-known down-stream gene Cyp3a11 in the skin and that PXR deficiency protects skin against DNA damage after a single topical application of DMBA. Together, these results demonstrate that PXR controls CCR7 and LC migration and that PXR signals via TGF-β pathway. Moreover, PXR might be involved in the metabolism of chemicals by LC and thus in cutaneous carcinogenesis. Notes: 43 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 12, 2013 12.00 – 12.15 Molecular mechanisms implicated in Thymic Stromal Lymphopoïetin-induced dendritic cell migration Carolina Martinez-Cingolani, Antonio Cappuccio, Vassili Soumelis Inserm U932, Institut Curie, Paris, France. Once activated, Dendritic Cells (DCs) migrate to the lymphoid organs and exert their role as antigen presenting cells. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, secreted by inflamed skin and epithelia, which strongly activates myeloid DCs. The TSLP-activated DCs secrete the inflammatory chemokines CCL17 and CCL22, prime an inflammatory Th2 response, and have been involved in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. We recently showed that TSLP also induces cytoskeleton polarization and myeloid DC migration. The aim of the present study is to understand the mechanisms by which TSLP induces migration of human blood myeloid DC subsets. To evaluate if TSLP induces DC migration in a direct way or through the secretion of chemokines acting in an autocrine manner, we performed migration experiments using a specific anti-TSLP neutralizing antibody and pertussis toxin (PTX), an inhibitor of GPCR signaling. We found that TSLPinduced secreted factors could not recapitulate DC migration. In addition, we found that the use of PTX inhibited TSLP-induced migration. Therefore, TSLP is required to induce DC migration, but this effect is dependent on the expression of a PTX-sensitive chemokine receptor. Moreover, we found that TSLP-induced migration was restricted to the blood BDCA-1+ subset since BDCA-3+ subset did not migrate in response to TSLP. Our results highlight intricated mechanisms underlying TSLP-induced DC migration. Ongoing transcriptomics analysis of TSLP-treated BDCA-1+ and BDCA-3+ DCs should shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved and the TSLP-induced signaling pathways on blood DC subsets. Notes: 44 12.15 – 12.30 October 12, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Immune complex-mediated recruitment of slanDCs and NK cells to vascular endothelium Thomas Döbel, Anke Lonsdorf, Alexander Enk and Knut Schäkel Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Heidelberg, Germany Several autoimmunity-driven inflammatory diseases with skin manifestations like lupus erythematosus and vasculitis are associated with immune complex (IC) deposition in the vascular bed or antiendothelial cell antibodies. Fc receptor-based detection of such autoICs by immune cells leads to ICdependent inflammation and tissue damage. To investigate modes of immune cell recruitment to areas of IC deposition we used a perfusion system coupled with time-lapse video microscopy and measured arrest functions of various leukocytes on immobilized ICs. At flow conditions corresponding to surface shear stress within human venous capillaries (>0.5 dynes/cm2) a pronounced recruitment of FcγRIII (CD16) positive slanDCs and NK cells could be observed. On the other hand human plasmacytoid DCs, CD1c+ DCs or Fc receptor negative control cells like T cells completely failed to adhere. Investigating the receptor specificity of this IC-mediated attachment with blocking mAbs clearly showed a dependence on CD16a while FcγRII (CD32) was largely dispensable. We performed additional experiments with immobilized human IgG subtypes and recognized that especially IgG3 promoted a strong attachment of slanDCs, which was again largely dependent on CD16a. Finally, when we performed experiments with monolayers of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells we also found a pronounced CD16a-dependent recruitment of slanDCs to endothelial cells that were preincubated with endothelial cell-specific antibodies. Of note, this CD16a/IC-dependent recruitment at the vascular interface is also supported by immunohistochemical identification of slanDCs in tissue samples of lupus nephritis and allergic vasculitis. Collectively, our results show an efficient CD16amediated and shear stress-resistant adhesion of circulating slanDCs and NK cells on immobilized ICs. These data provide evidence for a novel conduit of rapid FcR-dependent recruitment of immune cells in IC-mediated tissue inflammation. Notes: 45 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 12, 2013 12.30 – 12.45 Langerhans cells and Langerin+ dermal dendritic cells promote humoral responses through the generation of follicular helper T cells Chen Yao1, Elizabeth S. Jarrett1, Sandra M. Zurawski2, Gerard Zurawski2, Daniel H. Kaplan1, Botond Z. Igyártó1 1 Department of Dermatology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA 2 Baylor Institute for Immunology Research and INSERM U899 - ANRS Center for Human Vaccines, Dallas, TX 75204, USA Langerhans cells (LC) are required for the induction of adaptive Th17 responses against Candida albicans skin infection and for humoral immunity in an experimental staphylococcal scalded skin model. In contrast, CD103+ Langerin+ dermal dendritic cells (dDC) are required for Th1 induction. To study the effects of antigen presentation by LC in vivo under steady-state conditions, we immunized transgenic mice that express human Langerin only in LC with anti-human Langerin/antigen complexes. We also immunized LC-deficient mice with anti-murine Langerin/antigen complexes to selectively target CD103+ Langerin+ dDC. In both cases DC remained immature and antigen was targeted exclusively to either LC or CD103+ Langerin+ dDC. Steady-state presentation by either subset was sufficient to promote proliferation of endogenous antigen-specific CD4 T cells as assayed by I-Ab tetramer. The response peaked at day 7 without evidence of deletion. Both LC and CD103+ Langerin+ dDC induced a small, transient expansion of antigen-specific Foxp3+ cells that was absent by day 10. In contrast, both subsets induced strong expansion of antigen-specific follicular helper T cell phenotype (Tfh) that persisted into the memory phase. These cells expressed CXCR5, PD-1, Bcl6, IFN-γ, IL-21 and IL-4. Antigen targeting was also associated with the formation of germinal centers in regional LN and the development of a robust humoral response. Notably, Tfh expansion and the magnitude of the humoral response was unchanged if mice were also infected with C. albicans. Thus, both LC and CD103+ Langerin+ dDC efficiently promote Tfh and humoral responses irrespective of their state of maturation. We speculate that this function may have evolved to promote neutralizing immunity to recurrent viral skin infections. Notes: 46 12.45 – 13.00 October 12, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Characterization of the intrinsic cross-presentation ability of human dendritic cell subsets Elodie Segura, Melanie Durand, Sebastian Amigorena Institut Curie, INSERM U932, 26 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France Dendritic cells (DCs) represent a heterogenous population. In mice, lymphoid organ-resident CD8+ DCs are specialized at cross-presentation, due to specific adaptations of their endocytic pathways (high pH, low degradation, high export to the cytosol). We investigated the intrinsic cross-presentation ability of in vitro-derived dermal DC equivalents, CD1a+ and CD14+ DCs, and of ex vivo lymphoid organ-resident BDCA1+ DCs, BDCA3+ DCs and pDCs. Only CD1a+ DCs, but not CD14+ DCs, crosspresent efficiently and display high pH in their phagosomes and a high capacity to transfer exogenous proteins to their cytosol. By contrast, all resident DC subsets cross-present soluble antigen efficiently, as compared to macrophages. In addition, BDCA1+ and BDCA3+ DCs display similar phagosomal pH and similar production of reactive oxygen species in their phagosomes. All three resident DC subsets also efficiently export internalized proteins to the cytosol. We conclude that, while intracellular crosspresentation mechanisms are conserved between mouse and human, the DC subset specialization for cross-presentation differs between mouse and human. Notes: 47 INVITED SPEAKER October 12, 2013 Bertrand Dubois – INSERM, Lyon, France Langerhans cells dictate skin reactivity to weak contact allergens Space for your notes : 48 14.30 – 15.00 15.00 – 15.30 October 12, 2013 INVITED SPEAKER Natalija Novak – University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany The role of human Langerhans cells of the oral mucosa and the skin in allergic diseases Space for your notes : 49 INVITED SPEAKER October 12, 2013 Björn Clausen – University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany Dissecting the dendritic cell network in psoriasis-like skin disease Space for your notes : 50 15.30 – 16.00 16.30 – 17.00 October 12, 2013 INVITED SPEAKER Matthew Collin – Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Langerin expression and mutated BRAF in human dendritic cells: more clues about the origin of Langerhans cell histiocytosis Space for your notes : 51 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 12, 2013 17.00 – 17.15 The role of dendritic cells in psoriasis Elisabeth Glitzner1, Ana Korosec1, Martin Holcmann1, Barbara Drobits1, Helia Berrit Schönthaler2, Erwin F. Wagner2, Maria Sibilia1 1 2 Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, 28029 Madrid, Spain Psoriasis is a frequent, chronic disease in which the epidermis is affected by aberrant proliferation and differentiation, accompanied by severe skin inflammation. Within psoriatic lesions the number of Langerhans cells (LCs), the resident dendritic cells (DCs) of the epidermis, is often reduced compared to non-psoriatic skin, whereas plasmacytoid DC (pDC) numbers are increased. The exact role of these DC subtypes in psoriasis is, however, still poorly investigated. In this study we analyzed the involvement of LCs and pDCs in disease initiation and progression by employing mice harboring an inducible deletion of the AP-1 transcription factors c-jun and junB in the basal layer of the epidermis (jun/junBΔep) that develop a psoriasis-like phenotype resembling human disease. LCs gradually disappeared from the epidermis when psoriatic disease progressed, concomitant to their maturation and migration to local draining lymph nodes. pDCs, that are normally absent from healthy skin, immigrated into the dermis of jun/junBΔep mice in high numbers parallel to disease progression. To study the function of these two DC subsets in psoriasis, we crossed jun/junBΔep mice to two transgenic mouse strains where Langerin+ cells or pDCs could be inducibly depleted based on targeted expression of the diphtheria-toxin receptor. When Langerin+ cells were depleted during active disease, we found that disease symptoms were severely aggravated. In contrast, psoriatic disease developed and progressed normally when Langerin+ cells were depleted before disease onset. Using bone marrow chimeras between jun/junBΔep and Langerin-DTR mice we further dissected the involvement of LCs and Langerin+ dermal DCs in psoriasis progression. Furthermore, depletion of pDCs prior to disease induction resulted in a milder course of disease, whereas depletion of pDCs during established disease had no impact. In summary, these results suggest that LCs have a preventive role during active psoriatic disease, while pDCs exert an important instigatory function during its initiation phase. Notes: 52 17.15 – 17.30 October 12, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Interleukin 20 protein locates to distinct mononuclear cells in psoriatic skin Rikke Bech1,2, Kristian Otkjaer1, Svend Birkelund3, Thomas Vorup-Jensen2, Ralf Agger3, Lars Iversen1, Knud Kragballe1, John Rømer4 1 Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark 3 Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark 4 Department of Histology, Novo Nordisk, Maaloev, Copenhagen, Denmark 2 We have previously demonstrated that mRNA for the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 20 (IL-20) is expressed in suprapapillary keratinocytes of lesional psoriatic skin. Here, we describe the distribution of IL-20 protein and the identity of the IL-20-positive cells in lesional psoriatic skin. By immunohistochemistry we found that the main part of IL-20 immunoreactivity is present in mononuclear cells of the dermal papillae. Double-immunofluorescence studies revealed that the IL-20 positive cells located in the papillae were positive for Langerin, CD1a, CD4, and CD303, whereas they were negative for CD11c and CD123. In order to clarify whether the IL-20 protein was actively produced by or accumulated in these cells through uptake, we did in situ hybridization for IL-20 mRNA on non-lesional psoriatic skin, cultured ex vivo and stimulated with IL-1β. We observed a colocalization between IL-20 mRNA and the keratinocyte marker CK14. Importantly, no IL-20 mRNA was detected in the dermal mononuclear cells. Our results suggest that IL-20 is produced by keratinocytes, released into the epidermis, and then possibly taken up by papillary mononuclear cells. Based on the co-localisation studies we suggest that the IL-20 positive mononuclear cells in the papillae are immature dendritic cells. Neutralization of IL-20 may be beneficial in patients with psoriasis. Notes: 53 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 12, 2013 17.30 – 17.45 Transcriptional profiling of human Langerhans cells in tumor draining sentinel lymph nodes Rieneke van de Ven1,2, Christopher Dubay1, Malin Lindstedt3, Bernard A. Fox1 and Tanja D. de Gruijl2 1 Laboratory of Molecular and Tumor immunology, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA 2 Department of Medical Oncology, VU University medical Center-Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3 Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund 22363, Sweden Langerhans cells (LC) and dermal dendritic cells (DDC) that migrate from the skin to the draining lymph nodes upon encounter of antigens are likely key orchestrators of an induced immune response against these antigens. We hypothesize that when a tumor shares draining lymph nodes (LN) with proximate skin, as is the case for melanoma or breast tumors, the tumor microenvironment will impact the gene expression profile in these skin-derived DC. For this study, we isolated LC as well as CD1a+ DDC and two non-skin derived LN-resident DC subsets from metastasis-negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) from two breast cancer patients. After RNA isolation, the samples were hybridized on Affymetrix human U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. We were able to compare the gene expression profile of these LC and DDC with LC and DDC isolated from healthy donor human skin, on which we had previously conducted a similar gene array analysis. Initial analysis shows that many pathways that are highly over-expressed in SLN-LC compared to healthy skin-LC are tumor-related pathways and include elevated expression of immune inhibitory molecules such as IDO-1/2, Neuropilin-2, STAT3, PD-L1, PD-L2 and TGF-beta2, while maturation markers such as CD86, CD83 and HLA-DR were reduced. As a biological control, the data show that Langerin and CD1a expression are significantly reduced on SLN-LC compared to skin-LC, a process known to happen upon migration from the skin to the nodes. Interestingly, the cytokine IL-15, which is known for its importance for CD8 T-cell priming by LC, is increased in the LC present in the lymph nodes, the site where they would most likely encounter T cells. This unique set of data will provide valuable clues to further unravel functional differences between different primary human DC subsets in tumor-draining SLN as well as between pre- and postmigration LC and DDC. Notes: 54 17.45 – 18.00 October 12, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Langerhans Cells suppress innate skin inflammation via liver CXCR6+ NK cells Felix Scholz, Daniel H. Kaplan Department of Dermatology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA The skin serves as a barrier to protect the organism from physical damage, dehydration and infection. In addition to a physical barrier, the skin-resident cells recognize pathogens and rapidly recruit innate immune effectors. We found that intradermal footpad injection of a fungus, C. albicans, or a gram positive bacteria resulted in a robust inflammation associated with an influx into the foot pad of monocytes and neutrophils within 4 hours in naïve mice that resolved within 48 hours. This inflammation was reduced in MyD88-/- and IL-6-/- mice but was unaffected in Rag1-/- mice. Notably, we observed that footpad inflammation and levels of IL-6 in huLangerin-DTA mice that lack Langerhans cells (LC) were exaggerated compared to litter mate controls. The exaggerated inflammation was independent of adaptive immunity since we observed a similar degree of inflammation in huLangerin-DTA x Rag1-/- mice. In contrast, antibody-mediated ablation of natural killer (NK) cells with either anti asialo-GM1 or anti-NK1.1 reversed the phenotype. Recently CXCR6+ NK cells have been described as a liver-resident subset that mediate antigen-specific “memory like” responses during contact hypersensitivity. We found that exaggerated inflammation was ameliorated in huLangerin-DTA x CXCR6-/- mice. Moreover, adoptive transfer of liver lymphocytes from huLangerin-DTA but not control mice into wild type mice reproduced the exaggerated inflammation. Thus, in the absence of LC, NK1.1+ CXCR6+ NK cells become dysregulated and promote exaggerated innate immune responses to fungal and bacterial pathogens in the skin. This suggests novel model in which LC directly or indirectly suppress inappropriate activation of “memory-like” NK cells. Notes: 55 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 12, 2013 18.00 – 18.15 Langerhans cell homeostasis and activation is altered in epidermis expressing human papillomavirus type 16 E7 Nor Malia Abd Warif1, Patrizia Stoitzner2, Graham R. Leggatt1, Stephen R. Mattarollo1, Ian H. Frazer1 and Merilyn Hibma3 1 University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Qld 4102, Australia 2 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria 3 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and its pre-malignancies is increasing, however little is known of Langerhans cell (LC) regulation in premalignant skin. Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E7 is a cell cycle deregulating protein that contributes to the oncogenesis of HPV16. E7-expressing skin from the K14E7 mouse is hyperplastic, hyperkeratotic and contains inflammatory infiltrates. Despite the different etiology, these characteristics parallel squamous cell pre-malignancy. The purpose of this study is to determine if the frequency and function of LC is altered in hyperplastic K14E7 mouse skin. LC number and function was compared between the K14E7 mouse and control C57Bl/6 mice. We show that number of resident LC in the skin of the K14E7 was more than doubled. In contrast, migration of LC from the K14E7 skin was approximately halved. Functionally, a greater percentage of LC from the K14E7 epidermis was competent to take up antigen and those cells took up more antigen than LC from control epidermis. In addition, MHC class I and II and the costimulatory molecule expression was increased on LC from the K14E7 epidermis. Of those markers, only expression of MHC class II was dependent on the presence of functional T cells. When extracted from the skin and matured, LC from the K14E7 mouse did not differ from control LC in their ability to present or cross present antigen to T cells. The increased number, activation status and enhanced antigen uptake of the LC is consistent with their being regulated in the microenvironment of the hyperplastic K14E7 skin. This coupled with their reduced migration suggests that the LC retained in the 14E7 skin may function to regulate the local skin-resident T cells. Notes: 56 18.15 – 18.30 October 12, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Technical advance: anti-CXCL12 inhibits mature LC migration in immuno-competent skin equivalents exposed to allergens Ilona J. Kosten, Sander W. Spiekstra, Tanja D. de Gruijl, Sue Gibbs Department of Dermatology VUmc Amsterdam, The Netherlands Department of Medical Oncology VUmc Amsterdam, The Netherlands Academic Centre for Dentistry (ACTA) Amsterdam, The Netherlands Here we describe the first immuno-competent full thickness human skin equivalent model which can be used to investigate both mechanisms involved in LC maturation and migration after exposure to allergens or to irritants. We have made use of a novel tissue-engineered immuno-competent skin equivalent (SE) model that structurally and functionally resembles native human skin. It consists of a reconstructed epidermis containing human keratinocytes and Langerhans-like cells derived from the human MUTZ-3 cell line (MUTZ-LC) on a human fibroblast-populated dermis. The CD1a+ MUTZ-LC populate the entire epidermis at a similar density to that found in native skin. Exposure of the SE to sub-toxic concentrations of the allergens NiSO4, Cinnamaldehyde, Resorcinol and the irritants SDS and TritonX resulted in LC migration out of the epidermis towards the fibroblast populated dermal compartment. A significant dose-dependent upregulation of the DC maturation-related genes CCR7 and IL-1β upon epidermal exposure to the allergens was found, indicative of maturation and migration of the epidermally incorporated LC. IL-1β was already upregulated in the epidermis, whereas CCR7 was only upregulated in the dermis, indicating that CCR7 upregulation may occur under influence of dermal fibroblasts. Neutralizing antibody to CXCL12 blocked the allergen induced migration, but not the irritant induced migration in a similar manner to that previously shown using intact ex vivo human skin. This immunocompetent human skin model provides a unique reproducible research tool to study human Langerhans cell biology in situ under controlled in vitro conditions. Notes: 57 INVITED SPEAKER October 13, 2013 Béhazine Combadière – INSERM, Paris, France Langerhans cell's pivotal role in tailored immunity to vaccines Space for your notes : 58 09.00 – 09.30 09.30 – 10.00 October 13, 2013 INVITED SPEAKER Yvette van Kooyk – Free University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Glycan-based targeting of vaccines to Langerhans cells and dendritic cells in the skin Space for your notes : 59 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 13, 2013 10.00 – 10.15 Crosstalk between human DC subsets promotes anti-mycobacterial activity and CD8 T cell stimulation in response to tuberculosis vaccine Bacille Calmette–Guérin Laura Lozza1, Maura Farinacci1, Kellen Fae1, Marina Bechtle1, Anca Dorhoi1, Mario Bauer2, Franca del Nonno3, Stefan H.E. Kaufmann1 1 Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Department of Immunology, Berlin, Germany Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Department of Environmental Immunology 3 Pathology Division, National Institute for Infectious Disease ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy 2 Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health threat caused by the intracellular bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The only currently available vaccine against TB is an attenuated M. bovis, called bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG). Vaccine efficacy against TB implies the activation of an efficient immune response with dendritic cells (DCs) playing a central role. To date little is known about how specialized human DC subsets contribute to protection against TB. We analyzed the role of human pDCs, BDCA-1+ mDCs and BDCA-3+ mDCs in the immune response to BCG or Mtb. Since pDCs can be activated by bystander stimulation the mutual interaction of pDCs and mDC subsets in response to BCG was also analyzed. We found that pDCs are activated by BCG-infected BDCA-1+ mDCs to upregulate maturation markers and to produce granzyme B, but not IFN-α. Reciprocally, the presence of activated pDCs enhanced IL-1β production and mycobacterial growth control by infected mDCs. Synergy between the unique capacities of the two DC subsets promoted BCG-specific CD8 T cell stimulation. BDCA-3+ mDCs were also susceptible to BCG infection but less than BDCA-1+ mDCs and failed to prime CD8 T cells in our system. Contact with Mtb-infected mDCs induced GrB-pDC activation indicating that pDCs responded to the state of activation of BDCA-1+ mDCs rather than to bacterial species of different virulence. Consistent with these data, we identified discrete contact areas between mDCs and pDCs and the presence of GrB-pDCs in lymph nodes of TB patients. We conclude that mDC–pDC cross-talk should be exploited for rational design of BCG-based next-generation TB vaccines. Notes: 60 10.15 – 10.30 October 13, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Efficient cross-priming and Th1 induction by Langerhans cells following microneedle-mediated nanoparticle transdermal vaccination Marija Zaric1, Oksana Lyubomska1, Christopher J. Scott2, Ryan F. Donnelly2, Adrien Kissenpfennig1 1 The Centre for Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, University Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK. 2 School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK Harnessing dendritic cells (DCs) for development of effective vaccines necessitates further understanding of the functional specialization of distinct DC populations in vivo. We used polymeric dissolvable microneedle (MN) arrays laden with antigen encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) to target skin DCs networks in mice and to investigate the capacity of different skin DCs subsets to present antigen to antigen-specific naïve T cells. We demonstrate that although all skin DC subsets efficiently take up and deliver NPs to the skin draining lymph nodes, Langerhans cells (LCs) constitute the major subset capable of antigen cross-presentation to CD8+ T cells. Indeed, we show that LCs are critical for effective immunization using antigen-laden NPs, as depletion of LCs dramatically reduces the proliferation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in vivo. LCs are also necessary for IFN-γ and IL-17 production by antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. Moreover, we have explored the contribution of skin DC subsets for the generation of antigen-specific anti-tumor and anti-viral immune responses following MN immunization in vivo and demonstrate that depletion of LCs significantly reduces protective immunity in both disease models. Therefore, targeting of nano-encapsulated antigen to specific skin DC subsets, in particular to LCs, through dissolvable MNs potentially provides a promising technological platform for improved vaccination efficacy through enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Notes: 61 INVITED SPEAKER October 13, 2013 Adrien Kissenpfennig – Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Uk Can Langerhans cells take the sting out of vaccines? Space for your notes : 62 11.00 – 11.30 11.30 – 11.45 October 13, 2013 SELECTED ABSTRACT Targeting of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein to the DC/LC antigen receptor DEC205 in vivo induces immune suppression and prevents allergic experimental encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice Sabine Ring, Michael Maas, Alexander Enk, Karsten Mahnke Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Department of Dermatology, Vosstrasse 11, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany The antigen receptor DEC-205 is expressed by dendritic cells (DC) and greatly increases antigen presentation over pinocytosis or phagocytosis. After injection of antigens coupled to antibodies specific for DEC-205 into mice, effective presentation of the antigens to T cell follows. When antigen presentation occurs by non-activated “steady state” DC in vivo, we observed induction of regulatory T cells. We created single chain fragment variables (scFv) specific for DEC-205 fused to the self antigen MOG, to target non-activated DC in vivo and to induce tolerance to EAE. DEC-scFv:MOG fusions proteins, as well as isotype controls were expressed and purified from E.coli and immunohistochemical staining of CD11c+ dendritic cells displayed a positive staining for scFv, colocalizing with MHC class II. For functional testing DEC-scFv:MOG was injected into mice and DC were analyzed 3 days later. We found that DC isolated from DEC-scFv:MOG injected mice stimulated vigorous proliferation of MOG-specific 2D2 T cells, indicating presentation of the relevant MOG peptide in vitro. Furthermore, DC isolated from those animals produced significantly more TGF-β as well as IL-10, as compared to isotype-treated or untreated mice, respectively. And when analyzing the T cell compartment we recorded elevated numbers of activated CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg (16% of CD4) in the spleen after injection of DEC-scFv:MOG as compared to controls (12% of CD4). These Treg produced significantly more IL-10 as compared to controls. Most importantly, when EAE was induced in DEC-scFv:MOG-injected mice and in isotype-scFv:MOG treated controls, none of the DECscFv:MOG injected mice displayed any EAE symptoms in contrast to controls, which developed severe EAE. In a therapeutical setting, EAE was induced first and after mice had developed mild symptoms, they were treated with respective scFv conjugates. Here injection of DEC-scFv:MOG lead to abrogation of the disease in >90% of the animals tested. In contrast, all animals in the control groups developed a severe EAE. These data indicate that targeting of MOG to steady state DC in vivo prevents EAE by a DC/Tregdriven mechanism. Notes: 63 SELECTED ABSTRACT October 13, 2013 11.45 – 12.00 C-type lectin mediated uptake of glycan modified antigens by primary human Langerhans cells results in cross presentation to CD8+ T cells Cynthia M. Fehres1, Sven C.M. Bruijns1, Martino Ambrosini1, Hakan Kalay1, Sandra J. van Vliet1, Erik Hooijberg2, Tanja D. de Gruijl3, Wendy W.J. Unger1 and Yvette van Kooyk1 1 Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center 3 Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center 2 The potential of the skin immune system to generate humoral and cellular immune responses is well established and the skin is actively exploited as vaccination site. However, the precise function of the skin dendritic cell (DC) subsets, such as epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and dermal CD1a+ and CD14+ DCs, within the skin immune system is controversial and still under debate. Especially the capacity of each subset to cross-present exogenous delivered antigens is unclear, but of particular importance in the design of effective immunotherapies. Here, we show that primary human LCs crosspresent MART-1 peptide more efficiently than the dermal DCs. Modification of MART-1 using antibodies to the C-type lectins Langerin and DEC-205, but not Dectin-1, further enhanced the crosspresenting capacity of the LCs. Additionally, coupling of glycans, which are recognized by Langerin, to MART-1 peptides resulted in Langerin-mediated uptake and enhanced cross-presentation, indicating that antigens taken up via Langerin route to HLA class I loading compartments. The potency to enhance CD8+ T cell responses could be further increased through activation of LCs with the TLR3 ligand polyI:C. Our results provide a rationale for the development of LC-targeting immune therapies, through glycans or antibodies, in order to generate effective anti-tumor or anti-viral CTL responses. Notes: 64 12.00 – 12.30 October 13, 2013 INVITED SPEAKER Niki Romani – Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria Wrapping up LC2013: the current status of Langerhans cells, their future and beyond Space for your notes : 65 66 POSTER PRESENTATIONS 67 POSTER PRESENTATIONS P1. Distinctive antibody responses induced by immunization of mice with rat monoclonal antibodies specific for a panel of dendritic cell surface markers L.H. Pugholm, L.R. Petersen, K. Varming and R. Agger P2. MUTZ-3-derived Langerhans-like cells as a model system to study cytokine- and TLR2induced dendritic cell activation Stephanie Bock, André Said, Günther Weindl P3. Human epidermal Langerhans cells co-express indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and CD83 Paola Di Gennaro, Maria Raffaella Romoli, Gianni Gerlini, Massimo D’Amico, Paola Brandani, Nicola Pimpinelli, Lorenzo Borgognoni P4. Recognition of fungal pathogens instructs human Langerhans cells to induce Th1 responses Agata Drewniak, Marein A.V.P de Jong, Sonja I. Gringhuis, Teunis B. Geijtenbeek P5. The psoriasis-associated cytokine interleukin-23 inhibits Langerhans’ cell migration Laura H Eaton, Rebecca J Dearman, Christopher EM Griffiths, Ian Kimber P6. Skin Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a child. A case report Rossella Filippetti and Claudia Canofori P7. Integrated study of dermal CD11b+ mononuclear phagocytes including conventional and monocyte-derived dendritic cells and macrophages present in the mouse skin Samira Tamoutounour, Martin Guilliams, Frederic Montanana Sanchis, Dora Terhorst, Camille Malosse, Marc Dalod, Bernard Malissen and Sandrine Henri P8. Could dermal dendritic cells play a role in the development of neutralizing anti-drug antibodies? Christina Hermanrud, Anna Fogdell-Hahn P9. Casein kinase II regulates the recycling of the DC/LC antigen receptor DEC205 from MHC class II+ compartments back to the cell surface Rainer Koch, Sabine Ring, Alexander H.Enk, Karsten Mahnke P10. Characterization of anti-tumoral immune responses in a mouse model of spontaneous melanoma David G Mairhofer, Vincent Flacher, Suzie Chen, Juergen C Becker and Patrizia Stoitzner P11. EFdA, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, potently blocks HIV-1 ex vivo infection of Langerhans cells within epithelium Takamitsu Matsuzawa, Tatsuyoshi Kawamura, Youichi Ogawa, Kohji Moriishi, Yoshio Koyanagi, Hiroyuki Gatanaga, Shinji Shimada, and Hiroaki Mitsuya P12. Differential cytokine requirements for oxazolone and DNCB for allergen-induced Langerhans’ cell migration Aleksandra Metryka, Laura H Eaton, Ian Kimber, Ruth A Roberts and Rebecca J Dearman P13. Revisiting the origin of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: mutated BRAF gene identifies potential circulating precursor cells Paul Milne, Venetia Bigley, Naomi McGovern, Matthew Collin P14. The role of langerin-positive skin dendritic cells in skin carcinogenesis Daniela Ortner, Christoph Tripp, Nicole Amberg, Maria Sibilia, Björn E. Clausen and Patrizia Stoitzner P15. HIV infections in novel CD1a cells from human vaginal mucosa and epidermal Langerhans cells Victor Peña-Cruz, Rahm Gummurulu and Manish Sagar 68 POSTER PRESENTATIONS P16. Distinct molecular signature of human skin Langerhans cells denotes critical differences in cutaneous dendritic cell immune regulation Marta E Polak, Stephen M Thirdborough, Chuin Y. Ung, Tim Elliott, Eugene Healy, Tom C Freeman, Michael R Ardern-Jones P17. Poly(I:C) induces Th1 cytokines and IFNbeta in monocyte-derived Langerhans-like cells through TLR3 André Said, Monika Schäfer-Korting, Günther Weindl P18. Human Langerhans cells play a crucial role in CCR5 tropic selection of HIV-1 variants during sexual transmission Ramin Sarrami-Forooshani, Annelies W. Mesman, Carla M.S. Ribeiro, Michiel van der Vlist and Teunis B. H. Geijtenbeek P19. Targeting the glutamate pathway: a potential approach for immunotherapy in melanoma Sandra C. Schaffenrath, Daniela Ortner, Suzie Chen, Nikolaus Romani and Patrizia Stoitzner P20. Novel hollow microneedle technology for depth controlled microinjection-mediated dermal vaccination: a study with polio vaccine in rats Koen van der Maaden, Bas Trietsch, Pim Schipper, Juha Monkare, Heleen Kraan, Eleni Maria Varypataki, Stefan Romeijn, Raphäel Zwier, Heiko van der Linden, Gideon Kersten, Thomas Thomas Hankemeier, Wim Jiskoot, Joke Bouwstra P21. CD14+ DDCs take the stage in allergen-specific intradermal immunotherapy Na Luo, Yuri Souwer, Fong Lin, Ghaith Bakdash,Toni M van Capel, Martien L Kapsenberg, Marcel BM Teunissen and Esther C de Jong P22. Dengue receptor CLEC5A induces immune responses in skin Langerhans cells Joris K. Sprokholt, Sonja I. Gringhuis, Teunis B.H. Geijtenbeek P23. Polycomb Group Protein Ezh2 Regulates Integrin-Dependent Leukocyte Migration and Methylation of Talin M. Gunawan, N. Venkatesan, W.H. Neo, J. Li, J.T. Loh, J.F. Wong, T. Guo, C.E. See, S. Yamazaki, K.C. Chin, L.G. Ng, K.Z. Sze, F. Ginhoux, I-H. Su P24. Unique role of Cbfb2 variant in Langerhans cell development Mari Tenno, Yoshinori Naoe, Sawako Muroi and Ichiro Taniuchi P25. Characterization of dendritic cell subtypes in human melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer Christoph H. Tripp, Van Anh Nguyen, Dietmar Heiser, Barbara Del Frari, Nikolaus Romani, Patrizia Stoitzner P26. Activated vaginal Langerhans cells efficiently transmit HIV-1 to T cells Nienke H. van Teijlingen, Carla M.S. Ribeiro, Elisabeth van Leeuwen, Joris A.M. van der Post, Teunis B.H. Geijtenbeek P27. Innate dendritic cell sensing of opsonized HIV-1 to activate Th17 cells Wilfried Posch, Andrea Schroll, Hubert Hackl, Cornelia Lass-Flörl, Gianfranco Pancino, Asier Saez-Cirion, Zlatko Trajanoski, Teunis Geijtenbeek, Günter Weiss, Doris Wilflingseder P28. Protease inhibitor from tick saliva acts on human lysosomal enzymes in differentiated MUTZ-3 cells Tina Zavašnik-Bergant, Lenka Grunclová, Jiří Salát, Robert Vidmar, Petr Kopáček, Boris Turk 69 POSTER PRESENTATION P1. Distinctive antibody responses induced by immunization of mice with rat monoclonal antibodies specific for a panel of dendritic cell surface markers L.H. Pugholm1,2, L.R. Petersen2, K. Varming1 and R. Agger2 1 Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark 2 During recent years experimental evidence has been published demonstrating that targeting antigen (Ag) to surface markers on dendritic cells (DCs) may be a very efficient way of inducing immune responses. These results have aroused hopes that it may be possible to develop DC-targeting vaccines that effectively prevent or treat human diseases by inducing immune responses that are both potent and suitably tailored to the given situation. A number of DC surface molecules have been investigated for their usefulness as targets for antigen-delivery, but many more deserve examination. In the present study, we compared antibody responses in the mouse following targeting of antigen to a series of DC surface markers. Taking advantage of the fact that rat monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against murine DCs may act as both targeting devices (the Ag-binding parts of the molecule) and Ag (epitopes on the rat immunoglobulin that are immunogenic in the mouse), groups of mice were vaccinated subcutaneously, in the absence of adjuvant, with mAbs against the following markers: CD11c, CD36, CD205, CD206, CD209, Clec6A, Clec7A, Clec9A, Siglec H and PDC-TREM. Control groups were vaccinated with non-targeting, isotype-matched mAbs. The serum levels of antibodies against rat IgG, and the IgG subclass composition of the responses, were monitored by ELISA for 84 days following vaccination. Experiments elucidating the influence of the route of vaccination were also performed. From the results it is evident that several different surface molecules on murine DCs may function as efficient targets for the induction of antibody responses. Targets that elicited strong antibody responses were PDC-TREM, CD11c, CD36, CD205, Clec6A and Clec7A, while targeting CD206, CD209, Clec9A and Siglec H, resulted in poor responses, comparable to those elicited by nontargeted mAbs. Data on the effect of the route of administration will be presented on the poster. Notes: 70 POSTER PRESENTATION P2. MUTZ-3-derived Langerhans-like cells as a model system to study cytokine- and TLR2induced dendritic cell activation Stephanie Bock, André Said, Günther Weindl Institute of Pharmacy (Pharmacology and Toxicology), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany Langerhans cells (LC) represent a highly specialized subset of epidermal dendritic cells (DC), yet not fully understood in their role of balancing skin immunity. To study human epidermal DC behavior, we used in vitro-generated Langerhans-like cells derived from peripheral blood monocytes (MoLC) as well as from the acute myeloid leukemia cell line MUTZ-3 (MUTZ-LC). Comparative characterization of MoLC and MUTZ-LC included phenotypic properties and constitutive toll-like receptor (TLR) and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) expression. Compared to MoLC, MUTZ-LC overall display a less immature state and lack typical features of human epidermal DC (CD324, TROP-2, Axl) but express high levels of CD1a, CD207 and CCR6 and hence show migration capacity induced by CCL20. MUTZ-LC express high mRNA levels of TLR1, 2 and 6 and S1PR2 and 4. In contrast, TLR1, 3 and 8 and S1PR1 and 2 are the most highly expressed genes in MoLC. The functional properties of MUTZ-LC were investigated after stimulation with different TLR ligands, pro-inflammatory cytokines and soluble CD40 ligand (CD40L). Consistent with the TLR expression pattern, MUTZ-LC respond robustly to TLR2/1 and TLR2/6 engagement with increased CD83 and CD86 protein expression as well as upregulated IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-23p19, CCR7 and decreased CCR6 mRNA levels. Similar results were obtained upon stimulation with pro-inflammatory cytokines whereas ligands to TLR3, TLR4 and CD40L failed to activate MUTZ-LC. Moreover, CCR7-mediated migration towards CCL21 for MUTZ-LC correlated with their maturation status but revealed lower migratory capacity when compared to MoLC. Taken together, our results support and extent previous findings that MUTZ-LC represent a valuable model to study DC migration. MUTZ-LC furthermore may be particularly suitable to study TLR2/1/6-mediated signaling involved in the regulation of LC function. Notes: 71 POSTER PRESENTATION P3. Human epidermal Langerhans cells co-express indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and CD83 Paola Di Gennaro1,2*, Maria Raffaella Romoli2*, Gianni Gerlini1, Massimo D’Amico3, Paola Brandani1, Nicola Pimpinelli2, Lorenzo Borgognoni1 1 Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Regional Melanoma Referral Center, Tuscan Tumour Institute (ITT), Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy 2 Section of Dermatology, Dept. Translational Surgery and Medicine, University of Florence, Italy 3 Dept. Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy * Authors contributed equally Langerhans cells (LCs), the dendritic cells (DCs) of epidermis and mucosae, are characterized by Langerin expression, a C-type lectin involved in antigen up-take and Birbeck granule formation. LCs within epidermis are the typical immature DCs: weakly positive for HLA-DR and the co-stimulatory molecule CD86 but negative for CD80 and the maturation marker CD83. Following activation by proinflammatory cytokines, LCs migrate to regional LNs reaching a full maturation state characterized by HLA-DR and CD86 up-regulation, and CD80 and CD83 expression. Because of their localization, LCs are the first DCs interacting with skin cancers, thereby they are thought to have a key role in tumour immunology. For long time it has been thought that mature LCs activate immunity whereas immature LCs induce tolerance. However it has been reported that freshly-isolated epidermal LCs, stimulated with IFN-γ, expressed the tolerogenic enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), the regulator of peripheral and tumour-induced tolerance. Thus the relation between IDO expression and LCs maturation is a hot topic for cancer immunotherapy. To address this issue we analyzed IDO and CD83 co-expression in immature and mature epidermal LCs, using Langerin as track molecule and a well-established assay to induce maturation without the addition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in order to mimic what happens in vivo by LC migration to lymph nodes upon activation. By immunofluorescence analyses, in situ epidermal LCs were CD83- and did not express IDO, but IDO+ cells were observed within migrated CD83+ LCs from epidermal explants. Quantitative threecolour flow cytometry analyses confirmed that freshly-isolated LCs were CD83- and IDO-, while only a fraction of migrated CD83+ LCs expressed IDO (16.87 ± 7.63%, range 10.06 - 25.11%). This is the first quantitative analysis of IDO and CD83 co-expression in epidermal Langerin+ LCs. Given the tolerogenic role of IDO, these findings might indicate a possible regulatory role of IDO+ mature LCs. Notes: 72 POSTER PRESENTATION P4. Recognition of fungal pathogens instructs human Langerhans cells to induce Th1 responses Agata Drewniak, Marein A.V.P de Jong, Sonja I. Gringhuis, Teunis B. Geijtenbeek Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Fungal spices are ubiquitous residents of human skin and may cause invasive infections especially in immune compromised individuals. Langerhans cells (LCs) are the subset of dendritic cells (DCs) that line the epidermis, the outer layer of the human skin, and mucosal tissues. They function as antigen presenting cells able to sense foreign antigens in the environment. Upon capture of antigen they are able to migrate into the lymph node to instruct T cells to elicit appropriate immune response. Here we analyze the ability of human skin-derived Langerhans cells to respond to fungal infection. Human epidermal LCs are equipped with various receptors important for fungal recognition e.g. dectin1, TLR-2, langerin. Migratory LCs were able to bind and engulf various fungi, including C.albicans in a langerin-dependent manner. Unstimulated LCs induce a potent Th2 response. Activation of LCs with different strains of C.albicans led to induction of Th1 response, which was not observed in case of stimulation with single-receptor ligands, such as curdlan. This Th1 skewing capacity was solely dependent on IL12 production, as addition of neutralizing antibodies reversed this effect. These data suggest that LCs are strong mediators of Th2 responses but upon fungal infection they are able to induce Th1 responses required for antifungal immunity. Notes: 73 POSTER PRESENTATION P5. The psoriasis-associated cytokine interleukin-23 inhibits Langerhans’ cell migration Laura H Eaton1, Rebecca J Dearman1, Christopher EM Griffiths2, Ian Kimber1 1 The Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK The Dermatology Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK 2 Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting approximately 2% of the population. We have shown previously that Langerhans’ cell (LC) migration from the epidermis is impaired in patients with early-onset (presenting before age 40y) chronic plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis is associated with increased expression of interleukin (IL)-23 and antibody therapy directed to the cytokine is an effective therapy. Repeated intradermal injection of IL-23 in mice results in a skin phenotype resembling psoriasis. The aim of these experiments was to investigate the role of IL-23 in the regulation of LC mobilisation. BALB/c strain mice received intradermal injections of 50 ng of IL-23 (or bovine serum albumin [BSA] vehicle control) to the dorsum of each ear. In some experiments, 2 hours later, 25μl of 0.5% oxazolone (a chemical contact allergen known to induce LC migration) was applied to the same site. Naïve mice remained untreated. Four hours after oxazolone application (or 4 hours after IL-23 injection in groups that did not receive oxazolone), mice were terminated, ears removed and the epidermis was isolated and stained for LC. The frequency of LC in epidermal sheets was determined by fluorescence microscopy. Percentage migration was calculated as the mean percentage loss of LC in the treated compared with the concurrent control group. Treatment with IL-23 alone did not induce significant migration; indeed there was evidence of increased LC frequency from baseline (852 ± 18 to 957 ± 23 LC/mm2, p<0.01). Consistent with previous observations, oxazolone exposure (after prior injection with BSA) resulted in migration of the proportion of LC that appear to be available for mobilisation (15%; p<0.01). However, prior treatment with IL-23 inhibited oxazolone-induced migration and LC frequencies were equivalent to those in naive controls (942 ± 29 and 918.2 ± 24 LC/mm2, respectively). Thus, IL-23 inhibits LC mobilisation which provides a potential mechanism for the observed impairment of LC migration in psoriasis skin. Notes: 74 POSTER PRESENTATION P6. Skin Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a child. A case report Rossella Filippetti and Claudia Canofori Ospedale San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy Langerhans cell(LC) histiocytosis is a rare disease characterized by monoclonal proliferative disorder of cells derived from bone marrow. LC are located in epithelial surfaces, such as the skin, where their primary function, after they migrate to regional lymph nodes, is to present foreign antigens to T cells, thus helping to initiate the adaptive immune response. The disease may be manifested as multiorgan-system involvement (often a relentless progressive process with a poor prognosis)or as single- organ-system with a high likelihood of complete spontaneous resolution. Here we report a case of a 12 year old boy evaluated in our Day Service of Dermatology. The patient presented with a 2 week history of cutaneous erosions and papule each 3 to 7 mm in diameter with a hard serosanguineous crust as well as erythema scattered over lower trunk and leg.The patient was afebrile,and the results of physical examination were normal.as the routine laboratory tests.(viral,fungal cultures negative). In the diagnostic work up a LC disorder was considered. Skin biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis with care taken to include both normal and lesional skin in the specimen. Microscopical examination revealed epidermal ulceration overlying a papillary dermal infiltrate of atypical, large, dyshesive cells. The cells had abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and convoluted nuclei with red nucleoli. Some cells were multinucleated. Immunohistochemical stains showed that the histiocytes were positive for CD1a and S-100 protein. In summary, the morphologic characteristics of the skin lesions in this boy were consistent with Langerhans’-cell histiocytosis.An extensive evaluation failed to disclose evidence of infection, and since he remained clinically well, we felt that single-organ–system Langerhans'-cell histiocytosis was the most likely diagnosis in this case. The patient was treated conservatively and a surveillance follow up was scheduled. Notes: 75 POSTER PRESENTATION P7. Integrated study of dermal CD11b+ mononuclear phagocytes including conventional and monocyte-derived dendritic cells and macrophages present in the mouse skin Samira Tamoutounour, Martin Guilliams, Frederic Montanana Sanchis, Dora Terhorst, Camille Malosse, Marc Dalod, Bernard Malissen and Sandrine Henri Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Université de la Méditerranée, INSERM U1104, CNRS UMR6102, 13288, Marseille, France The mononuclear phagocyte system functions in the innate immune response, in support of the adaptive immune response and in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. In the dermis, the lack of markers permitting the unambiguous identification of macrophages and of conventional and monocytederived dendritic cells complicates the understanding of their contribution to skin integrity and to immune responses. Recent studies have identified several DC subsets within the mouse skin. CD11b+MHCII+ cells were found to constitute the predominant myeloid cell type present in the steady state dermis. Using a panel of markers and appropriate knock-out mouse models, we successfully identified each cell types within CD11b+MHCII+ cells and studied their origin and their transcriptomic signatures. We also assessed their migratory and T-cell stimulatory properties. We followed the monocyte differentiation once they extravasated into the dermis. Moreover, we analyzed the impact of microbiota on their development and their contribution to skin inflammation during contact hypersensitivity. Therefore our work provides the first fine-grained description of the DC and macrophage subsets found in the mouse skin and showed that functional specialization exists among them. Notes: 76 POSTER PRESENTATION P8. Could dermal dendritic cells play a role in the development of neutralizing anti-drug antibodies? Christina Hermanrud, Anna Fogdell-Hahn Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Interferon beta (IFN-β) is used as a first-line treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and can provoke unwanted immune responses leading to the development of neutralizing anti-drug antibodies (NAbs). The presence of NAbs is associated with loss of effectiveness of the drug. NAbs develop in 6-47% of the IFN-β treated MS patients depending on what preparation is used. The mechanisms regulating the triggering of immunity to antigens administered through the skin are still relatively unexplored and have previously not been investigated in the context of NAb development, but there are indications that the route of administration is an essential risk factor. The objective of this project was to investigate the prevalence of NAbs against IFN-β preparations in 1071 Nordic MS patients analyzed by our routine NAb testing laboratory during 2011 to 2012, and determine the effects of injection site (subcutaneous (s.c) versus intramuscular (i.m) injection) on risk for NAbs. The overall prevalence of NAbs to IFN-β was 19%. IFN-β administered once a week i.m. gave rise to NAb production in 6% of the patients whereas s.c administration every third day or every other day resulted in NAb production in 21% and 43% of the patients, respectively. As previous studies have shown; s.c administration of IFN-β seems more immunogenic than i.m. and higher administration frequency seems to correlate with increased incidence of NAb development. This supports the indication that the immunology of the skin has considerable impact on NAb development and thus a potential role of skin dendritic cells. Notes: 77 POSTER PRESENTATION P9. Casein kinase II regulates the recycling of the DC/LC antigen receptor DEC205 from MHC class II+ compartments back to the cell surface Rainer Koch, Sabine Ring, Alexander H.Enk, Karsten Mahnke Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Dept. of Dermatology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440,D 69120 Heidelberg The intracellular trafficking of the dendritic cell (DC) antigen receptor DEC205 is guided by an intracellular domain, that routes antigens into MHC-II+ compartments. This domain contains a putative casein kinase II (CKII) phosphorylation site and we asked whether this site is involved in intracellular targeting of DEC205 to late endosomes (LE). We generated fusionreceptors containing the HuIgGbinding, extracellular domain of human CD16 and the intracellular DEC205 domain (CD16:DEC) and established stably transfected the antigen presenting cell line DCEK. In pulse – chase experiments we incubated the celllines with HuIgG on ice for 1h, followed by a chase at 37°C for 20 to 60 min. We show, that CD16:DEC transfected cells bind and endocytose HuIgG efficiently, and after 30 min many vesicles start to fuse with Rab7+ LE. These vesicles were also positive for CKII indicating a role of CKII in DEC205 trafficking. When we applied the CKII inhibitor TBB, endocytosis of HuIgG by CD16:DEC was not affected, but instead the recycling of the DEC receptor from LE to the cell surface was blocked. Moreover, inhibition of CKII also lead to a prolonged half-life of endocytosed HuIgG within LE and in antigen presentation assays with HuIgG-specifc T-cells, TBB-treated DCEK cells induced reduced T cell proliferation as compared to controls. Finally we confirmed our results by deleting the CKII site in chimeric CD16:DEC receptors by site-directed mutagenesis yielding CD16:DEC CKII receptors. These receptors accumulated in Rab7+ LE and showed severely reduced expression on the cell surface. Thus this data indicate that phosphorylation of the intracellular domain of the DEC205 antigenreceptor by the CKII is crucial for the transport of its ligands beyond the LE to MHC class II+ compartments and for the recycling of the DEC205 receptor back to the cell surface. Further investigations of this pathway may explain the efficiency of antigen targeting to DC in vivo. Notes: 78 POSTER PRESENTATION P10. Characterization of anti-tumoral immune responses in a mouse model of spontaneous melanoma David G Mairhofer1, Vincent Flacher2, Suzie Chen3, Juergen C Becker4 and Patrizia Stoitzner1 1 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria CNRS UPR9021 Immunologie et Chimie Thérapeutiques, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France 3 Chemical Biology, Lab for Cancer Research, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA 4 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University Graz, Graz 2 The transgenic mouse strain tg(Grm1)EPv develops spontaneous melanoma with 6 months of age due to an over-expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (Grm1). In our study we aimed to analyse immune cells within the tumor mass and in draining lymph nodes to learn more about tumor immunity. Flowcytometric analyses of tumor cell suspensions and immunofluorescence stainings of tumor sections were performed. T cell responses were investigated in vitro and in vivo with proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion assays. We detected an infiltration of T cells into the tumors when compared to healthy skin. Most infiltrating T cells were CD4+ rather than CD8+, and included regulatory T cells. In regard to dendritic cells (DC), we found infiltrating plasmacytoid DC in tumor cell suspensions. Langerhans cells (LC) were depleted from skin with melanoma, while the Langerin- dermal DC population was enlarged. All tumors contained a prominent population of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Within lymph nodes draining tumors, CD4+T cells were decreased in percentages and some expressed FoxP3, thus representing regulatory T cells. The population of MDSC was increased indicating an immunosuppressive milieu in the lymph nodes. In addition, we detected less Langerin+ dermal skin DC and LC in lymph nodes of tumor-bearing mice. Some CD8+T cells were activated and produced IFN-gamma upon restimulation in vitro. When we adoptively transferred transgenic CD8+ T cells specific for the melanoma antigen gp100, they proliferated in lymph nodes and proliferation could be enhanced by intradermal injection of TLR-3 ligand poly I:C plus an antibody against CD40. In summary we observed that despite some evidence for T cell responses in tumor-bearing mice, tumors grow progressively in tg(Grm1)EPv mice, most probably due to the lack of and efficient antitumor immune response and the presence of immunosuppressive cells. The exact nature of the tumor antigen presenting DC subset still needs to be clarified. Notes: 79 POSTER PRESENTATION P11. EFdA, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, potently blocks HIV-1 ex vivo infection of Langerhans cells within epithelium Takamitsu Matsuzawa1, Tatsuyoshi Kawamura1, Youichi Ogawa1, Kohji Moriishi2, Yoshio Koyanagi3, Hiroyuki Gatanaga4, Shinji Shimada1, and Hiroaki Mitsuya5,6 1 Department of Dermatology, University of Yamanashi, Japan Department of Microbiology, University of Yamanashi, Japan 3 Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Japan 4 AIDS Clinical Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan 5 Department of Infectious Diseases and Department of Hematology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan 6 Experimental Retrovirology Section, HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 2 Because of the absence of a prophylactic vaccine, new strategies that reduce sexual transmission of HIV are urgently needed. A recent clinical trial has shown that vaginal application of tenofovir (TDF); a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), reduces the probability of sexual transmission of HIV-1 by an estimated 39% overall. To deliver and demonstrate more potent anti-HIV activity of microbicides, we have recently developed a novel NRTI; 4’-Ethynyl-2-Fluoro-2’-Deoxyadenosine (EFdA). Because Langerhans cells (LCs) are suspected to be initial cellular targets for HIV following sexual exposure to virus, we compared anti-HIV activity of TDF and EFdA in LCs. Strikingly, preincubation with EFdA (100-5000 nM) completely blocked HIVBa-L infection in monocyte-derived LCs (mLCs) without cytotoxicity, while preincubation with TDF partially inhibited HIVBa-L infection in mLCs, and the mean inhibition values with 100, 1000, or 5000 nM TDF was 28%, 37%, and 59%, respectively. In addition, in an ex vivo skin explant model, when skin explants were preincubated with each drug, similar blocking effects were observed for epidermal LCs. Moreover, preincubation of mLCs as well as skin explants with EFdA (100 - 5000nM) completely blocked subsequent HIV transmission from LCs to cocultured CD4+ T cells, while TDF partially inhibited the transmission. Similar blocking effect of EFdA was observed when LCs were exposed to R5 HIV primary isolates; JRFL and AD8. In addition, although complete blocking effect of EFdA against HIVBa-L infection in mLCs persisted for 3 days, TDF gradually lost the anti-HIV activity depending on culture periods. Taken together, our data suggest that EFdA may be useful as a topical microbicide to block sexual transmission of HIV. Notes: 80 POSTER PRESENTATION P12. Differential cytokine requirements for oxazolone and DNCB for allergen-induced Langerhans’ cell migration Aleksandra Metryka1, Laura H Eaton1, Ian Kimber1, Ruth A Roberts2 and Rebecca J Dearman1 1 2 Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK AstraZeneca, Safety Assessment Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK We have shown previously that Langerhans’ cell (LC) migration following exposure to oxazolone, a potent contact allergen, requires two independent cytokine signals from tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α and interleukin (IL)-1β. Moreover, other stimulators of LC migration, including skin irritants are similarly dependent on TNF-α. However, we have demonstrated recently that 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) is able to induce LC migration in the absence of TNF-α signalling. Here we examine further the mechanisms through which DNCB mobilises LC. Mice deficient in TNF-α receptor 2 (TNFR2-/-; the sole TNF-α receptor expressed by LC), or wild-type controls, were exposed topically to the contact allergens: paraphenylenediamine, 1-fluoro-2,4dinitrobenzene (DNFB), DNCB, or to the skin irritant sodium lauryl sulfate. The density of LC was determined by staining for MHC class II. All chemicals caused significant LC migration in wild-type animals (between 20 and 30% reduction), however, only members of dinitrohalobenzene family (DNCB and DNFB) were able to trigger LC mobilisation in TNFR2-/- mice (20-40%). Subsequently, the kinetics of expression of cutaneous cytokines following treatment of wild-type mice with either oxazolone or DNCB was examined by RT-PCR. Exposure to oxazolone and DNCB upregulated the expression of TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-17F and down-regulated mRNA for IL-18 and IL33. However, higher levels of IL-1β (~50 fold versus 5 fold) and CXCL-1 (~120 fold versus 20 fold) were induced by DNCB compared with oxazolone. These data reveal that, unlike other inducers of LC migration, dinitrohalobenzenes are capable of stimulating epidermal LC migration independently of TNF-α. The PCR results demonstrate, that at concentrations previously inducing similar proliferation levels in the draining lymph node, DNCB and oxazolone differentially activate IL-1β and CXCL-1 expression. Considering that CXCL-1 expression is likely to be secondary to IL-1β production, we propose that the TNF-α-independent LC migration induced by dinotrohalobenzenes is primarily driven by the more vigorous expression of IL-1β. Notes: 81 POSTER PRESENTATION P13. Revisiting the origin of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: mutated BRAF gene identifies potential circulating precursor cells Paul Milne, Venetia Bigley, Naomi McGovern, Matthew Collin Human Dendritic Cell Lab, Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare, potentially fatal disease caused by clonal proliferation of langerin+ CD1a+ dendritic cells (DCs), which form lesions in various organs. The cell of origin of LCH is unknown, though expression of langerin implicates the Langerhans cell (LC). This link is questioned by numerous recent observations: i) LCH cells have a gene expression profile distinct from LCs ii) LCH can occur in organs usually devoid of LCs iii) Presence of a normal dermal DC which expresses langerin+CD1a+, but is phenotypically, functionally and homeostatically distinct from LCs. It is therefore possible that, similarly to normal tissue DCs, LCH cells derive from circulating precursors rather than tissue-resident LCs. 60% of LCH biopsies contain an activating V600E mutation in the BRAF gene. Detection of mutated BRAF in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and bone marrow (BM) is a potential means of identifying precursors of LCH. PBMC from two V600E+ multi-system LCH patients were FACS sorted to obtain pure populations of monocyte, DC and lymphocyte subsets. BM CD34+ progenitors were sorted into five subsets. An optimised TaqMan Gene Expression Assay was used to perform qPCR for BRAFV600E mutation on gDNA. In both patients, V600E mutation was detected in CD14+ ‘classical’, CD16+ ‘non-classical’ monocytes and CD11c+ myeloid DCs. Peripheral blood T lymphocytes and plasmacytoid DCs were negative. In bone marrow, V600E mutation was seen in myeloid but not lymphoid progenitors. The presence of BRAF V600E in peripheral blood monocytes and myeloid DCs is a novel finding, implicating these cells in the pathogenesis of LCH lesions. The finding of the mutation among BM progenitor cells shows for the first time that multi-system LCH is a haematopoietic disorder. Through prospective studies we aim to test the prognostic significance of these findings and validate the test for diagnostic and disease monitoring purposes. Notes: 82 POSTER PRESENTATION P14. The role of langerin-positive skin dendritic cells in skin carcinogenesis Daniela Ortner1, Christoph Tripp1, Nicole Amberg2, Maria Sibilia2, Björn E. Clausen3 and Patrizia Stoitzner1 1 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria Department of Medicine I, Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria 3 Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany 2 Due to their localization skin dendritic cells (DC) are the first antigen presenting cells to get in contact with transformed keratinocytes forming squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It is therefore critically important to understand how skin DC influence immune effector cells in skin prone to carcinogenesis and in fully developed tumors. We used two different mouse skin cancer models: (i) a cutaneous two-stage chemical carcinogenesis model forming SCC which we performed on LangerinDTR:EGFP mice; (ii) a SmoothenedM2 transgene mouse model (Rosa26SmoM2YFP) crossed to K5-CreERT and LangerinDTR:EGFP (SmoM2LangerinDTR) mice to induce BCC in the absence of langerin-positive DC. So far experiments showed that depletion of langerin-positive DC prior to the induction of SCC led to a faster tumor onset and higher number of tumors. Quantitative PCR analysis of treated skin demonstrated a decrease in IL-12p35, IL-23 and TNF-α expression in the absence of langerin-positive DC two days after a single application of DMBA. SmoM2LangerinDTR mice depleted of langerinpositive DC exhibited increased tumor load compared to non-depleted mice. Taken together, our first findings suggest that langerin-positive skin DC are required for immunosurveillance of non-melanoma skin cancer. Notes: 83 POSTER PRESENTATION P15. HIV infections in novel CD1a cells from human vaginal mucosa and epidermal Langerhans cells Victor Peña-Cruz, Rahm Gummurulu and Manish Sagar Boston University, Boston Massachusetts, USA There is great interest in demonstrating HIV infections in human vaginal mucosa to better understand mechanisms of mucosal HIV acquisition. While skin derived Langerhans cells (LCs) and monocyte derived dendritic cells (mDCs) have been used as models of the potential earliest target cells present in mucosal tissue, we examined cells present in vaginal mucosa. Skin and vaginal cells were obtained from women without cancer undergoing elective reduction mammoplasties and vaginal repairs respectively. Cells were isolated using discontinuous density gradients and anti-human CD1a magnetic beads. Cells were phenotyped using flow cytometry and electron-microscopy (EM). HIV infections were monitored by assessing infectious virus production on TZM-bl cells. While both skin epidermis and vaginal epithelium cells expressed CD1a, skin LCs showed a significantly higher surface expression of Langerin compared to the vaginal cells. In situ EM examination showed that the presence of Birbeck Granules (BGs) in the skin but, no BGs were evident in vaginal tissue. BGs were also not observed in pelleted CD1a positive vaginal cells. Diverse HIV-1 strains did not replicate in skin derived LCs, but showed relatively low replication levels in the vaginal CD1a positive BG negative cells. HIV-2 replicated in cells from both tissues, although replication was relatively higher in the vaginal as compared to the skin cells. Our investigations demonstrate a novel vaginal epithelium cell type that expresses CD1a, low levels of Langerin, and contains no BGs. Compared to skin LCs, the vaginal CD1a positive BG negative cells support more robust replication with HIV-1 and HIV-2. Our study suggests that these novel vaginal cells may be some of the earliest infected cells during mucosal HIV transmission. Notes: 84 POSTER PRESENTATION P16. Distinct molecular signature of human skin Langerhans cells denotes critical differences in cutaneous dendritic cell immune regulation Marta E Polak1, Stephen M Thirdborough2, Chuin Y. Ung1, Tim Elliott2, Eugene Healy1, Tom C Freeman3, Michael R Ardern-Jones1 1 Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Sir Henry Wellcome Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. 2 Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK 3 The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom Langerhans cells (LCs) are dendritic cells (DCs) residing in the epidermis, which demonstrate high potential to activate T lymphocytes, but due to their relative low frequency, studies of primary human LC biology are limited. We have obtained complete transcriptome data of human skin migratory LCs and myeloid dermal DCs (DDCs), before and during the time course of stimulation with TNF-alpha (pro-inflammatory epidermal cytokine). Genome-wide comparison of the transcriptional profiles of human skin migratory CD1a+ LCs and CD11c+ dermal dendritic cells (DDCs) demonstrated striking differences between these ‘dendritic cell’ types. Although LCs conformed to the phenotype of professional antigen presenting cell (high expression of HLA allele, CD40, CD80, CD86), they differed distinctively from classical myeloid DCs (including preferential expression of 625 genes (p<0.05) in LC and 914 genes (p<0.05) in DDC). Analysis of the temporal regulation of molecular networks activated during stimulation with TNF-α identified 6 clusters of co-dependent genes unique to DDCs and 12 clusters of co-dependent genes unique to LC (p<0.05 - p<0.0001). Whereas gene expression in DDCs recapitulated the classical DCs function, including surface receptors (CD163, MRC1, Fc-gamma R, FXIIIa, C-type lectins), soluble immune mediators (IL1a, IL1b, CCL2, CCL17, CCL18, CCL22) and matrix metaloproteinases (MMP1, MMP3, MMP9), LC preferentially up-regulated genes involved in cell membrane re-organisation (SYNPO, ACTB) and antigen acquisition and processing (SEPT11, CAV-1, PSMD14). Functional interference with caveolin abrogated LCs superior ability to crosspresent antigens to CD8+ T lymphocytes, highlighting the importance of these networks to biological function. The molecular signature of LCs highlights the distinctiveness of this cell population and underscores their role as tissue gatekeepers, utilising efficiently membrane trafficking as a part of their role in pathogen surveillance and monitoring of the epidermal microenvironment. Notes: 85 POSTER PRESENTATION P17. Poly(I:C) induces Th1 cytokines and IFNbeta in monocyte-derived Langerhans-like cells through TLR3 André Said, Monika Schäfer-Korting, Günther Weindl Institute of Pharmacy (Pharmacology and Toxicology), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany Langerhans cells (LC) might contribute to tolerance towards bacterial commensals, but are ideally positioned in the epidermis to induce anti-viral immunity. Here we investigated the immune responses of human immature monocyte-derived DC (MoDC) and LC-like cells (MoLC) upon stimulation with different TLR ligands in the presence or absence of pro-inflammatory cytokines. MoLC were distinguished from MoDC by the expression of E-Cadherin, Langerin, TROP-2 and Axl. Bacterial TLR ligands selectively activated MoDC and induced the release of distinct cytokines to prime a Th1 or Th17 response. In contrast, MoLC weakly upregulated CD83 and CD86 expression in response to bacterial antigens, whereas activation under inflammatory conditions (IL-1beta, TNF) strongly enhanced a phenotypically mature state and increased the release of IL12p70, IL-23 and IL-6. Moreover, poly(I:C), a molecular pattern associated with viral infections, led to upregulation of CD83 and CD86 surface expression and release of IL-12p70 in stimulated MoLC. The addition of proinflammatory cytokines further enhanced the production of IL12p70 and IFNgamma. Additionally, poly(I:C)-stimulated MoLC showed increased levels of IFNbeta mRNA, whereas IFNalpha and IFNbeta were upregulated in MoDC. Pretreatment with cholorquine abrogated IFN induction, suggesting a TLR3-dependent activation of both, MoLC and MoDC by poly(I:C). Taken together, the obtained results indicate that human Langerhans cells, besides their tolerogenic function to bacterial commensals in healthy human skin, might contribute to an adaptive immune response towards bacterial pathogens under inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, we suggest a critical involvement of MoLC and MoDC in innate defense against viral pathogens, potently in immunologic synergy with pDC, the main producers of type I IFNs. In addition, the altered cytokine secretion favors MoLC as potent inducers of a Th1 response against viral pathogens under inflammatory conditions. Notes: 86 POSTER PRESENTATION P18. Human Langerhans cells play a crucial role in CCR5 tropic selection of HIV-1 variants during sexual transmission Ramin Sarrami-Forooshani, Annelies W. Mesman, Carla M.S. Ribeiro, Michiel van der Vlist and Teunis B. H. Geijtenbeek Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands The HIV pandemic is mainly fueled via sexual transmission. In addition to CD4, HIV-1 requires coreceptors of the CC or CXC chemokine families for productive infection. Based on coreceptor tropism there are two main HIV-1 variants, X4 and R5 which use CXCR4 or CCR5 for the infection, respectively. During HIV transmission only R5-HIV-1 variants can be transmitted however the mechanism of this selection is yet to be explained. During sexual transmission, Langerhans cells (LCs) are the first component of the immune system which encounter the virus. Under inflammatory conditions LCs become infected and transmit HIV-1 to T cells. To investigate the role of primary LCs on the selection of R5-HIV-1 variants, we set up different transmission assays including ex vivo human skin explant model which more closely resembles the physiological condition and in situ exposure. Our data showed an efficient transmission of R5 viruses compared to X4 ones. Interestingly LCs showed a productive infection with X4-HIV-1 variants. Treatment of LCs with HIV-1 inhibitors revealed that de novo infection of LCs is required for HIV transmission (infection in cis). When LCs were exposed to HIV-1 after migrating out from the skin (migratory LCs), not only they were infected but also transmitted the X4-HIV-1 variants. Considering the activation state as the main difference between immature and migratory LCs, epidermal sheets were treated with different stimuli. Notably the immature LCs that were stimulated with TNF-alpha could transmit the X4-HIV-1 variants. Our data reveals the important role of LCs in R5-HIV-1 selection. Furthermore, it suggests that inflammatory conditions affect this selection by facilitating X4-HIV-1 transmission. Our study demonstrates that the role of LCs on this selection is not due to lack of infection with X4 but possibility through existence of inhibitory factors that may block transmission of X4-HIV-1 variants. Notes: 87 POSTER PRESENTATION P19. Targeting the glutamate pathway: a potential approach for immunotherapy in melanoma Sandra C. Schaffenrath1,2, Daniela Ortner1, Suzie Chen3, Nikolaus Romani1,2 and Patrizia Stoitzner1 1 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria Oncotyrol – Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria 3 Division of Medical Oncology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, USA 2 Glutamate is a key compound in cellular metabolism as well as the most abundant neurotransmitter in the CNS and exerts its effect by binding to ionotropic- and metabotropic glutamate receptors. More than 60% of human melanoma samples are positive for ectopic overexpression of metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 (Grm1) which is absent in melanocytes. Aberrant expression of Grm1 in melanocytes induces spontaneous melanoma development and release of elevated levels of glutamate accelerates tumor growth. In the tg(Grm1)EPv mouse model overexpression of Grm1 in melanocytes leads to spontaneous tumor formation in hairless skin regions. In this study with investigated how Riluzole, a pharmacological inhibitor of glutamate release, affects growth of melanoma cells. Moreover, we want to know if induction of tumor cell death changes immune responses against melanoma. In vitro experiments demonstrated that various glutamate pathway inhibitors induced apoptotic cell death in Grm1 overexpressing cell lines in a dose-dependent way. In addition to our in vitro findings we observed that Riluzole treated mice showed tumor growth delay compared to vehicle control over a period of 2-3 month. Flowcytometric analyses revealed that Riluzole had minor effects on the percentages of infiltrating immune cells in in the tumor as well as tumor draining lymph nodes. Currently, we are investigating the consequences of Riluzole treatment on phenotype and function of immune cells like dendritic cells (DC), natural killer cells (NK) and T cells. Our findings so far suggest that growth of melanoma can be inhibited by interfering with the glutamate pathway, however, cell death might be non-immunogenic. Our observations implicate glutamate signaling as new therapeutic target for treatment of melanoma. Notes: 88 POSTER PRESENTATION P20. Novel hollow microneedle technology for depth controlled microinjection-mediated dermal vaccination: a study with polio vaccine in rats Koen van der Maaden1 *, Bas Trietsch2 *, Pim Schipper1, Juha Monkare1, Heleen Kraan3, Eleni Maria Varypataki1, Stefan Romeijn1, Raphäel Zwier4, Heiko van der Linden2, Gideon Kersten1,3, Thomas Thomas Hankemeier2, Wim Jiskoot1, Joke Bouwstra1 1 Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands 2 Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands 3 Institute for Translational Vaccinology (Intravacc), P.O. Box 450, 3720 AL Bilthoven, the Netherlands 4 Fine Mechanical Department, Leiden Institute of Physics (LION), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands * Authors contributed equally Conventional intramuscular or subcutaneous injections of vaccines cause pain and stress, carry the risk of infection and need trained personnel. By only piercing the top layers of the skin, microneedles can be used for minimally invasive, pain free vaccine delivery to an immunologically active site. Here we present a cheap and fast method to produce hollow microneedles from fused silica capillary with a defined and tunable inner diameter. The microneedles were used in combination with an electromagnetic applicator to control the insertion speed (1-3 m/s), depth (0-1000 µm), and angle (10°90°) for painless intradermal vaccine delivery. Hollow microneedles with an inner diameter of 20 µm were used to immunize rats with an inactivated poliovirus vaccine by an intradermal microinjection of 9 µL at a depth of 300 µm and an insertion speed of 1 m/s. Intradermal microinjection induced comparable immune responses to conventional intramuscular injection, demonstrating the potential of microneedles for pain free, minimally invasive intradermal vaccination. Notes: 89 POSTER PRESENTATION P21. CD14+ DDCs take the stage in allergen-specific intradermal immunotherapy Na Luo1, Yuri Souwer1, Fong Lin1, Ghaith Bakdash1,Toni M van Capel1, Martien L Kapsenberg1, Marcel BM Teunissen2 and Esther C de Jong1 1 Department of Cell Biology & Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2 Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands The most common type of allergy is IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity which affects approximately 25% of the population in industrialized countries. Allergen specific immunotherapy (SIT) currently is the only curative treatment of mono allergies, however clinical improvement is only seen after treatment for five years. The efficacy of SIT is thought to be based on induction of regulatory T cells that suppress disease-associated Th2 cells. The typical route of administration for SIT is subcutaneous injection (SCIT). The skin is an interesting site for vaccination as it is equipped with an extensive network of different dendritic cell (DC) types: epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and CD1a+ and CD14+ dermal dendritic cells (DDCs). It is unclear to what extent these individual DC types contribute to SCIT. To study the possible roles of different DC types in SCIT we used a human skin explant model that closely resembles physiological conditions. After intradermal delivery of fluorescent labelled allergen, biopsies were taken and cultured for 1-3 days. Cells that migrated out of the skin were analyzed. This showed that allergen was preferentially taken up by CD14+ DDCs. Since the active form of vitamin D3 (VitD) is a potent immunosuppressive drug and its effects are mediated in part through DCs that promote the development of regulatory T cells, we administered VitD in our system. Injection of VitD selectively enhanced the migration of CD14+ DDCs. Moreover, these migrating DDCs induced T cells with suppressive activity, characterized by expression of Foxp3, and abolished T cell IFN-γ production. We show that allergen injected in the skin is taken up by CD14+ DDCs and injection of VitD in the skin increases the migratory capacity of CD14+ DDCs which induce regulatory T cells. Our results suggest that co-administration of allergen and VitD during SCIT could greatly improve the efficacy of this treatment. Notes: 90 POSTER PRESENTATION P22. Dengue receptor CLEC5A induces immune responses in skin Langerhans cells Joris K. Sprokholt, Sonja I. Gringhuis, Teunis B.H. Geijtenbeek Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted disease caused by dengue virus, which infects 400 million people annually. The disease is characterized by massive cytokine induction and vascular permeabilization, causing internal bleeding. The C-type lectin receptor CLEC5A is a receptor for dengue virus and thought to be involved in the cytokine ‘storm’. Little is known about the expression and functionality of CLEC5A on skin Langerhans cells (LCs), which are thought to be the first cells to encounter the virus after a mosquito bite. Here we show that CLEC5A is highly expressed on immature epidermal LCs. Notably, activation of CLEC5A on primary LCs using an agonist antibody leads to profound immune responses such as cytokine secretion, maturation and modulation of TLR signaling. The production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines induced by CLEC5A consists of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, CLL3 and CLL4. Interestingly, CLEC5A activation modulates TLR-induced immune responses by increasing TLR-induced cytokines and by inducing additional cytokines such as IL-12. In addition, CLEC5A activation induces maturation of primary LCs by upregulating CD80 and CD86. We are currently confirming these results using dengue virus. Taken together, LCs may be the first cells to start the cytokine ‘storm’ and inhibiting the function of LCs might be a key strategy to combat the disease at an early stage of infection. Notes: 91 POSTER PRESENTATION P23. Polycomb Group Protein Ezh2 Regulates Integrin-Dependent Leukocyte Migration and Methylation of Talin M. Gunawan, N. Venkatesan, W.H. Neo, J. Li, J.T. Loh, J.F. Wong, T. Guo, C.E. See, S. Yamazaki, K.C. Chin, L.G. Ng, K.Z. Sze, F. Ginhoux, I-H. Su Division of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Division of Structure Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University We previously identified a novel cytosolic role for the histone methyltransferase Ezh2 in the regulation of cell signaling and in the control of receptor-stimulated actin polymerization. This unexpected cytoplasmic role for Ezh2 is likely to profoundly impact on key leukocyte functions by modulating signal transduction pathways in these cells, but the molecular mechanism that underpins the extra-nuclear functions of Ezh2 has until now remained unclear. In the current report, we present the first experimental evidence that talin is a cytosolic substrate of Ezh2, and we provide novel mechanistic insights into the influence of Ezh2 on leukocyte adhesion dynamics and migratory behavior both in vitro and in vivo. Here we show that Ezh2 critically regulates integrin signaling and governs the adhesion dynamics of neutrophils and dendritic cells (DCs). Ezh2 deficiency impaired integrin-dependent transendothelial migration of innate leukocytes and restricted disease progression in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis. Ezh2 was necessary for methylation of the talin protein that links integrin molecules to the actin-cytoskeleton, and Ezh2 interactions with the Vav1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor were essential for the regulation of adhesion structure turnover in DCs. The influence of Ezh2 on leukocyte migration also extends to the steady-state trafficking of Langerhans cells through a continuous physical barrier (basement membrane) to LN. Further investigation will now be required to assess physiological outcomes of this regulation. Our data demonstrate for the first time that leukocyte migration and adhesion dynamics are critically regulated by polycomb group protein Ezh2 and talin methylation. Notes: 92 POSTER PRESENTATION P24. Unique role of Cbfb2 variant in Langerhans cell development Mari Tenno, Yoshinori Naoe, Sawako Muroi and Ichiro Taniuchi Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN, Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Langerhans cells have been known to be a unique and important subset of dendritic cells in the epidermal layer of the skin; its developmental pathway is however not fully understood. In mammals, Cbfb protein, known as an essential subunit of Runx transcription factor complexes, are present as two RNA splicing variants, Cbfb1 and Cbfb2. These two variants differ in their C-terminal amino acid sequences, suggesting a possibility that each isoform may have distinct physiological function. To address in vivo roles of individual variant, we have generated mutant mouse strain lacking either Cbfb1 or Cbfb2. Here we show that a loss of Cbfb2 variant results in a defect in Langerhans cell development. In the ear epidermis of adult Cbfb2-deficient mice, no mature Langerhans cells expressing Langerin and EpCAM were detected. Instead, there were a few larger cells with characteristics of immature Langerhans precursors, such as the dendritic morphology and the expression of MHC class II and CX3CR1. Analysis of bone marrow chimera showed that these Langerin+EpCAM+classII+ cells were radio-resistant residential cells that could not be replaced by donor cells. Analyses of ontogeny of Langerhans cell development around neonatal stage revealed that seeding of CD45+ early progenitor cell to the skin occurred normally in Cbfb2-deficient mice. However, the next transition into Langerin+EpCAM+ stage, which is known to require for TGFb signals around day 3 after birth, was severely impaired in the absence of Cbfb2. Interestingly, although immature Langerhans precursors disappear in adult epidermis by lack of TGFbR1 signals, our results indicate that those cells are stably maintained in the Cbfb2-deficient mice, suggesting an unique role of Runx3/Cbfb2 complexes in regulating Langerhans cell development. Notes: 93 POSTER PRESENTATION P25. Characterization of dendritic cell subtypes in human melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer Christoph H. Tripp1, Van Anh Nguyen1, Dietmar Heiser1, Barbara Del Frari2, Nikolaus Romani1,3, Patrizia Stoitzner1 1 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria 3 ONCOTYROL - Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria 2 In the skin, dendritic cells (DC) are the prime cells to induce immune responses against melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Skin tumors are exceedingly common due to cumulative UV exposure and recurrent in immunsuppressed patients. Little is known about the occurrence, phenotypes and functional capabilities of tumor-infiltrating DC and their specific role in skin cancer. The aim of our study is to identify tumor-infiltrating DC subsets, their respective activation states and expression levels of C-type lectins by extensive FACS analyses. The tumor milieu will be investigated by analyses of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, such as immunsuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) as well as effector T and NK cells. By comparison of cutaneous tumors of melanoma, SCC and BCC we hope to learn more about the role of human skin DC in cancer. Preliminary data reveal the presence of different DC subtypes and activation levels in cutaneous metastases of melanoma, SCC and BCC. A substantial proportion of these DC express DEC-205 which would allow in situ targeting of tumor-infitrating DC. The TLR3 ligand poly(I:C) improves DEC-205 targeting in migratory skin DC, thus rendering it a promising adjuvant for immunotherapy. Moreover, infiltrates of T cells, NK cells and macrophages were obvious in all tumor entities. We are currently investigating interactions between these cells by immunofluorescence stainings of tumor sections. This study will help to elucidate which DC subtype would be the optimal target for the clinical use of an “antibody-targeting” immunotherapy. Notes: 94 POSTER PRESENTATION P26. Activated vaginal Langerhans cells efficiently transmit HIV-1 to T cells Nienke H. van Teijlingen, Carla M.S. Ribeiro, Elisabeth van Leeuwen, Joris A.M. van der Post, Teunis B.H. Geijtenbeek Experimental Immunology & Obstetrics and Gynaecology department, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands HIV-1 infection is still a global health problem and sexual transmission is the major route of infection. Development of effective microbicides is urgently needed but little is known about the cellular and molecular processes in HIV-1 transmission. In sexual transmission Langerhans cells (LCs) are the first immune cells to encounter HIV-1 and these cells play a central role in the ensuing immune response but can also transmit HIV-1 to T cells. However, vaginal LC research has been hampered due to scarcity of tissue and complexity of isolation procedures. We have successfully developed methods to isolate both immature and migratory LCs from vaginal mucosa. We have analyzed the expression and function of pattern recognition receptors (i.e. C-type lectin receptors and toll-like receptors) on these cells and studied the interaction between vaginal LCs and HIV-1. Migratory vaginal LCs, which highly express LC activation markers, become infected with HIV-1 and efficiently transmit HIV-1 to T cells. Thus, vaginal LCs play a remarkable role in HIV-1 infection and further studies on vaginal LCs will provide valuable knowledge to facilitate the design of preventative or therapeutic strategies to combat HIV-1 infection and AIDS. Future studies will focus on the influence of vaginal LC activation by bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance of vaginal flora, which is associated with increased HIV-1 susceptibility. Notes: 95 POSTER PRESENTATION P27. Innate dendritic cell sensing of opsonized HIV-1 to activate Th17 cells Wilfried Posch1, Andrea Schroll2, Hubert Hackl3, Cornelia Lass-Flörl1, Gianfranco Pancino4, Asier Saez-Cirion4, Zlatko Trajanoski3, Teunis Geijtenbeek5, Günter Weiss2, Doris Wilflingseder1 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Schöpfstrasse 41/R311, Innsbruck, Austria 2 Department of Internal Medicine VI, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstr. 35, Innsbruck, Austria 3 Division of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck, Austria 4 Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris, France 5 Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands Early on in HIV-1 infection, gut Th17 cells are massively depleted leading eventually to compromised intestinal barrier function and excessive immune activation. In contrast, the functional Th17 cell compartment of the gut is well-maintained in non-pathogenic SIV infection as well as HIV-1 long-term non-progressors. Here, we show that dendritic cells (DCs) exposed to HIV-1 bearing high surface complement levels, following incubation in plasma from HIV-infected individuals, secreted significantly higher concentrations of Th17-polarizing cytokines compared to DCs exposed to non-opsonized HIV-1 or HIV-1 exhibiting low levels of surface complement following opsonization in patient plasma. Our in vitro and ex vivo data, therefore, indicate that complement-opsonized HIV-1 exerts beneficial effects during HIV-1 infection by simultaneously triggering Th17 expansion as well as stronger CTLs via DCs as illustrated earlier by our group. Thus, specifically modifying the complement signaling pathway could strenghten the cellular arm of the immune system and serve as a therapeutic target for HIV-1 infection. Notes: 96 POSTER PRESENTATION P28. Protease inhibitor from tick saliva acts on human lysosomal enzymes in differentiated MUTZ-3 cells Tina Zavašnik-Bergant1, Lenka Grunclová2, Jiří Salát2, Robert Vidmar1, Petr Kopáček2, Boris Turk1 1 Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia 2 Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budĕjovice, Czech Republic By transmitting pathogens ticks represent a severe threat to humans and animals. Furthermore, saliva of blood-feeding parasites, such as ticks, is a rich source of secretory proteins (sialome). Among them many have been proposed to help the parasite to overcome the defense response in host skin. Here the interactions between salivary cystatin-type inhibitor (OmC2 from the saliva of soft tick Ornithodoros moubata) and host lysosomal enzymes (human cysteine proteases) are described. Antigen-presenting cells (APC) have the capacity to process foreign proteins into antigenic peptides and trigger specific immune response. Namely, with the tick inhibitor entering into the endocytic pathway of APC in skin, the proteolytic ability of host lysosomal proteases (among them cysteine cathepsins S and L, essentially involved in antigen processing and consecutive MHC II presentation) would be impaired. A recombinant tick cystatin OmC2 was studied together with differentiated MUTZ-3 cells applied as an in vitro cell model for dermal APC. First, internalization of the fluorescently labeled tick cystatin was followed into acidic organelles, where target proteases resided. OmC2 inhibitory effect towards cysteine cathepsins was tested: (1) with recombinant human cathepsins S and L and (2) in lysosomeenriched lysates from differentiated MUTZ-3 cells after incubation and internalization of tick inhibitor, respectively. In both cases a decreased specific proteolytic activity of cysteine proteases was established. Formation of complexes between human lysosomal proteases and tick inhibitor OmC2 was further confirmed with mass spectrometry. Finally, a decrease in IL-12 secretion was observed when tick inhibitor was internalized into acidic organelles of differentiated MUTZ-3 cells, compared to non-treated cells. We conclude that tick inhibitor OmC2 could impair the necessary proteolytic events associated with MHC II antigen presentation in skin APC. Notes: 97 UPCOMING MEETING DC2014 The 13th International Symposium on dendritic cells Tours, France September 14 – 18, 2014 Organized by Sebastian Amigorena, Matthew Albert, Jacques Banchereau, Philippe Pierre & Laurence Zitvogel www. DC-2014.com LC2015 14th International Workshop on Langerhans Cells Kyoto, Japan November 5 – 8, 2015 Organized by Kenji Kabashima, Tatsuyoshi Kawamura, Kayo Inaba & Shinji Shimada www.LC2015.jp 98 The new image processing platform for skin analysis by TissueGnostics Superior colour separation & cell nucleus detection Epidermis detection Langerhans Cell detection Dendrite reconstruction Distance measurements of cells within of cells outside of the epidermis www.tissuegnostics.com