Figure 5

Increased numbers of mature CD86⁺ DCs surrounding granulomas in sarcoidosis. Location, number and activation of DCs in mucosal airway biopsies. (A) CD11c staining on a frozen section from a mucosal airway biopsy from a healthy control, showing DCs in the subepithelial layer. Characteristic dendritic cell morphology was observed with dendrites crossing the basement membrane (insert). (B) In mucosal biopsies from sarcoidosis patients DCs were observed surrounding the granuloma. (C) Quantification of the numbers of CD11c⁺ cells in lamina propria in biopsies from healthy controls (HC), sarcoidosis patients without (SRC) and with granuloma (SRC gr), bars indicate median values, ** p < 0.0015. (D) Proportions of CD11c⁺ cells co-expressing CD86 in biopsies from healthy controls (HC), sarcoidosis patients without (SRC) and with granuloma (SRC gr). Each symbol represents and individual patient or control. Lines indicate median value, ** p < 0.0015 (D).