Induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 but not of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-3 in thyroid follicular cells.
We investigated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-3 (LFA-3) by thyrocytes and their regulation by cytokines. Immunofluorescence studies on cryostat sections and on freshly dispersed cell preparations showed that ICAM-1 and LFA-3 are barely detectable in non-autoimmune thyrocytes. However, thyrocytes acquired ICAM-1 expression in culture. IFN-gamma, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha produced a clear enhancement of ICAM-1 expression. When tested in combination, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha were additive to the IFN-gamma effect. LFA-3 expression was not modulated by these cytokines. In the HT93 thyroid cell line generated by transfection with SV40, ICAM-1 and LFA-3 were both constitutively expressed at high levels. Cytokines modulated ICAM-1 expression similarly, but to a greater extent than in normal thyrocytes. LFA-3 remained unmodified. These results support the notion that normal thyrocytes are immunologically silent cells. The capability of cytokines to induce ICAM-1 together with HLA class I and class II-expression on thyrocytes suggests that under their influence, these cells may express all the surface molecules required for antigen presentation and/or for being recognized as target cells in the context of thyroid autoimmune disease.
Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
E
E
Tolosa
C
C
Roura
M
M
Martí
A
A
Belfiore
R
R
Pujol-Borrell
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1