Dendritic cells and the extracellular matrix: A challenge for maintaining tolerance/homeostasis

Figure 4 CD11c⁺ dendritic cell are involved in the host response to transplanted hydrogels. CD11c⁺ DC were detected in re-epithelialized layers surrounding RHCIII hydrogels transplanted in murine corneas, 22 d post transplantation (A, B). CD11c⁺ dendritic cells infiltrated hydrogels transplanted into murine corneas as early as 6 h (C) or 24 h (D, E) after transplantation and showed a transformation in morphology from rounded immature DC to well-differentiated DC at the latter time point after interacting with the three dimensional crosslinked collagen matrix. Images were taken within the hydrogel in (C-E) as shown in the schematic. DAPI: Nuclear staining shown in blue; CD11c in magenta; DC: Dendritic cell.