Mannose receptor ligand-positive cells express the metalloprotease decysin in the B cell follicle.

Decysin, a gene encoding a disintegrin metalloprotease, is transcribed in human dendritic cells (DC) and germinal centers (GC). We have cloned its murine homologue and show that it is processed by the endoprotease furin before secretion of the catalytic domain. We have defined the cell types that express decysin in mouse spleen in the course of an immune response to T cell-dependent Ags. Like in humans, decysin is transcribed by activated CD11c(+) DC that enter the T cell zone from the marginal zone (MZ). In the GC, decysin is expressed by follicular DC and tingible body macrophages. In addition, a MZ cell population expresses decysin and appears to migrate into the B cell follicle. The majority of these follicle-homing cells express the mannose receptor ligand, a marker for the macrophage-like MZ metallophils. The follicle-homing cells are M-CSF dependent, as they are absent in op/op mice that lack functional M-CSF. This suggests that mannose receptor ligand(+) MZ metallophils differentiate into cells that migrate from the MZ into the B cell follicle. Decysin represents the first marker for this previously unrecognized cell population of the mouse spleen, which may represent a precursor for GCDC and may be specialized in the transport of unprocessed Ag from the MZ into developing GC.