IL-1 production by T6 (CD1a) positive cord blood mononuclear cells (Langerhan's cell precursors?).

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.