CD 8 mouse spleen dendritic cells do not originate from the CD 8 dendritic cell subset

Although previous studies had indicated that the CD8 and CD8 subtypes of murine dendritic cells (DCs) differ in immediate origin, a recent study found that intravenous transfer of CD8 DCs led to CD8 DCs in the spleen several days later, suggesting a direct precursorproduct relationship. We have repeated these experiments with a balance sheet approach. We find that though a few CD8 DCs can be generated in such experiments, this is a rare event and could be the result of a contaminant precursor. Most of the immediate precursors of CD8 DCs are cells that lack the phenotype of a recognizable DC. CD8 DCs and CD8 DCs are not precursor-product related, though these sublineages may be connected further upstream. (Blood. 2003;102:601-604)