A platelet-mediated system for shuttling blood-borne bacteria to CD8α + dendritic cells depends on glycoprotein GPIb and complement C3

Admar Verschoor, Michael Neuenhahn, Alexander A. Navarini, Patricia Graef, Ann Plaumann, Amelie Seidlmeier, Bernhard Nieswandt, Steffen Massberg, Rolf M. Zinkernagel, Hans Hengartner, Dirk H. Busch*

*Corresponding author for this work
118 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The acquisition of pathogen-derived antigen by dendritic cells (DCs) is a key event in the generation of cytotoxic CD8 + T cell responses. In mice, the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is directed from the blood to splenic CD8α + DCs. We report that L. monocytogenes rapidly associated with platelets in the bloodstream in a manner dependent on GPIb and complement C3. Platelet association targeted a small but immunologically important portion of L. monocytogenes to splenic CD8α + DCs, diverting bacteria from swift clearance by other, less immunogenic phagocytes. Thus, an effective balance is established between maintaining sterility of the circulation and induction of antibacterial immunity by DCs. Other Gram-positive bacteria also were rapidly tagged by platelets, revealing a broadly active shuttling mechanism for systemic bacteria.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNature Immunology
Volume12
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)1194-1201
Number of pages8
ISSN1529-2908
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12.2011

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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