Flt3 Signaling-Dependent Dendritic Cells Protect against Atherosclerosis

SummaryEarly events in atherosclerosis occur in the aortic intima and involve monocytes that become macrophages. We looked for these cells in the steady state adult mouse aorta, and surprisingly, we found a dominance of dendritic cells (DCs) in the intima. In contrast to aortic adventitial macrophages, CD11c+MHC IIhi DCs were poorly phagocytic but were immune stimulatory. DCs were of two types primarily: classical Flt3-Flt3L signaling-dependent, CD103+CD11b− DCs and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)-dependent, CD14+CD11b+DC-SIGN+ monocyte-derived DCs. Both types expanded during atherosclerosis. By crossing Flt3−/− to Ldlr−/− atherosclerosis-prone mice, we developed a selective and marked deficiency of classical CD103+ aortic DCs, and they were associated with exacerbated atherosclerosis without alterations in blood lipids. Concomitantly, the Flt3−/−Ldlr−/− mice had fewer Foxp3+ Treg cells and increased inflammatory cytokine mRNAs in the aorta. Therefore, functional DCs are dominant in normal aortic intima and, in contrast to macrophages, CD103+ classical DCs are associated with atherosclerosis protection.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload high-quality image (260 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Immune stimulatory but nonphagocytic DCs are dominant in the aortic intima
► Aortic CD103+CD11b− DCs are Flt3-Flt3L dependent classical DCs
► Aortic CD14+CD11b+DC−SIGN+ DCs are M-CSF dependent
► Flt3-dependent cDCs decrease atherosclerosis and increase aortic Foxp3+ CD4+ T cells