Isolation and characterisation of pig Peyer's patch dendritic cells.

We have isolated dendritic cells (DC) from Peyer's patches (PP) of pig small intestine by mechanical tissue disruption followed by fractionation of isolated cells on metrizamide gradients. Characterisation was carried out using the following criteria: morphology; lysosomal enzyme synthesis; expression of membrane antigens; and capacity for antigen presentation. Dendritic cells did not express acid phosphatase or beta-galactosidase, but were weakly positive for non-specific esterase and ATPase. Dendritic cells did not express CD3, CD2, sIg, or an antigen specific for pig mononuclear phagocytes and granulocytes. They did, however, express MHC class II at very high levels. They were shown to be potent stimulators in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction.