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Plasmacytoid dendritic cells and memory T cells infiltrate true sequestrations stronger than subligamentous sequestrations: evidence from flow cytometric analysis of disc infiltrates

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Abstract

Purpose

Herniated nucleus pulposus has been considered to induce an adaptive immune response. Antigen recognition by antigen-presenting-cells (APCs) represents an important step within manifestation of an adaptive immune response. Macrophages have been assumed to function as APC, while importance of plasmacytoid dendritic cells for initiation of an immune response directed towards herniated nucleus pulposus has never been examined. The aim of the present study was to assess importance of plasmacytoid dendritic cells for initiation of immune response directed towards herniated discs.

Methods

Fifteen patients with true sequestrations and three patients with subligamentous sequestrations underwent surgery after their neurological examinations. Disc material was harvested, weighted and digested for 90 min. Separated single cells were counted, stained for plasmacytoid dendritic cells (CD123+CD4+), macrophages (CD14+CD11c+) and memory T cells (CD4+CD45RO+) and analysed by flow cytometry. Both patient groups were compared in cell proportions. Furthermore, patients with true sequestrations (TRUE patients) were subdivided into subgroups based on severity of muscle weakness and results in straight leg raising (SLR) test. Subgroups were compared in cell proportions.

Results

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells and memory T cells infiltrated true sequestrations stronger than the subligamentous sequestration and plasmacytoid dendritic cells predominated over macrophages in true sequestrations. Highest proportions of plasmacytoid dendritic cells were detected in infiltrates of patients having true sequestrations, severe muscle weakness and negative result in SLR test.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study indicate that plasmacytoid dendritic cells are involved in initiation of an immune response directed towards herniated nucleus pulposus, while macrophages may reinforce the manifested immune response and mediate disc resorption.

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Acknowledgments

The work was supported by grants from the German Research Foundation (GE 1232/5-1) and the University Hospital of Cologne, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, D-50937 Köln, Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology, University of Cologne, Bernhard-Feilchenfeld-Straße 11, 50969, Cologne, Germany

    Andrea Geiss

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medizinisches Zentrum StädteRegion Aachen, Mauerfeldchen 25, 52146, Würselen, Germany

    Rolf Sobottke

  3. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Halle/Saale, Magdeburgerstraße 22, 06112, Halle, Germany

    Karl Stefan Delank

  4. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany

    Peer Eysel

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  1. Andrea Geiss
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Correspondence to Andrea Geiss.

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Geiss, A., Sobottke, R., Delank, K.S. et al. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells and memory T cells infiltrate true sequestrations stronger than subligamentous sequestrations: evidence from flow cytometric analysis of disc infiltrates. Eur Spine J 25, 1417–1427 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4325-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4325-z

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