Depletion of inflammatory dendritic cells with anti-CD209 conjugated to saporin toxin

Monocytes rapidly infiltrate inflamed tissues and differentiate into CD209(+) inflammatory dendritic cells (DCs) that promote robust immunity or, if unregulated, inflammatory disease. Previous studies in experimental animal models indicate that inflammatory DC depletion through systemic elimination of their monocyte precursors with clodronate-loaded liposomes ameliorates the development of psoriasis and other diseases. However, translation of systemic monocyte depletion strategies is difficult due to the importance of monocytes during homeostasis and infection clearance. Here, we describe a strategy that avoids the monocyte intermediates to deplete inflammatory DCs through antibody-loaded toxin. Mice with an abundance of inflammatory DCs as a consequence of lipopolysaccharide exposure were treated with anti-CD209 antibody conjugated to saporin, a potent ribosome inactivator. The results demonstrate depletion of CD209(+) DCs. This strategy could prove useful for the targeted reduction of inflammatory DCs in disease.