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Mononuclear cells were fractionated from human cord blood by affinity chromatography on immobilized peanut agglutinin, as previously described (Rosenberg et al., Hum Immunol 7:67, 1983). The PNA+ subset was found to be composed mainly of a population of cells phenotyped as Ia+, T6+, M01+, and MY4+. The presence of mononuclear cells coexpressing these antigens was demonstrated by three techniques: double labeling immunofluorescence using FITC and rhodamine conjugated goat antimouse IgG; fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS); and by direct counting (under the microscope) of cells stained by either individual or a combination of a variety of monoclonal antibodies. The PNA+ cells expressed cytoplasmic structures similar to Birbeck granules. In view of the fact that Langerhans cells of the skin share a similar phenotype and express Birbeck granules, we suggest that this subset may be the precursor of the Langerhans cells of the skin. In addition, these cells may also be the precursors of the dendritic cells found in the spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, and liver.

A subset of T6 positive cells was recently separated from normal human cord blood mononuclear cells. It was shown to coexpress HLA-DR and myeloid differentiation antigens (Mo1, MY4). The phenotype and ultrastructure of the cells suggested that these T6 positive cells might be the precursors of the Langerhans cells of the skin. We have previously demonstrated by immunogold labeling techniques that the T6 surface antigen of human Langerhans cells of the skin is internalized in unfixed Langerhans cells or indeterminate cells by a process of receptor-mediated endocytosis. This process involved the formation of coated pits, coated vesicles, endosomes and lysosomes. Following this process, in Langerhans cells, gold labeled Birbeck granules appeared in the cell center often in continuity with endosomes. In the present study, we used an indirect immunogold labeling technique to reveal the T6 antigen present on the surface of living T6 positive cord blood mononuclear cells. We observed the internalization of the T6 surface antigen by a process of receptor-mediated endocytosis similar to that described in Langerhans cells of the skin. This process, however, was not followed by the appearance of intracytoplasmic Birbeck granules.

Human cord blood (CB) mononuclear cells were fractionated into peanut agglutinin positive (PNA+) and PNA negative (PNA-) subsets. The PNA+ subset was enriched for T6+(CD1a)Ia+ cells, which we have previously shown to resemble the Langerhans cells (LCs) of the skin, and therefore described as circulating LCs precursors. Supernatants of PNA+ and PNA- cells, and of FACS purified populations of T6+ CB cells, cultured with and without LPS, were tested for IL-1 activity. It was found that cord blood PNA+ mononuclear cells as well as purified populations of T6+ CB cells produce significant amounts of, both extracellular and cell associated, IL-1 as compared to PNA- and T6- cells, and comparable to those produced by macrophages. LPS stimulation mainly affected T6+ cells. It can be concluded that cord blood T6+ cells, presumably LCs precursors, are capable of IL-1 production.