Circulating dendritic cells following burn

Burns are associated with immune suppression and subsequent development of sepsis. Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that serve as a critical link between the innate and acquired immune systems, and are essential in coordinating the host response to pathogens. Using multicolour flow cytometry, the percentages of LIN- DR+ CD11c(+) myeloid (mDC) and LIN- DR+ CD123(+) plasmacytoid (pDC) subsets were determined in peripheral blood from 32 people (15 septic and 5 non-septic burn victims and 12 age- and gender-matched healthy controls, up to 20 days from injury). Analysis revealed significant reductions in circulating mDCs and pDCs in survivor as well as non-survivor septic cases compared with non-septic cases and controls (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that deficiencies in mDCs and pDC subsets are related to sepsis following severe burn, and may contribute to immunosuppression among burn victims. Published by Elsevier Ltd and ISBI.