Epithelial cells bearing class II molecules stimulate allogeneic human colonic intraepithelial lymphocytes.
HLA-DR+ gut epithelial cells may present antigen to intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL). This study aimed to isolate an IEL population from the human colon to activate CD3 + IEL by a human colonic epithelial cell line (HT-29), bearing different concentrations of class II antigen (HLA-DR). IEL were isolated by a mechanical method from six patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and from 14 control patients. IEL were cocultured with HT-29 which had been induced to express class II molecules by gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) in a dose dependent manner. The phenotype and the subsequent expression of activation markers by the IEL were determined to two colour flow cytometry. The IEL population had a CD4/CD8 ratio similar to that seen in tissue sections. In the mixed cell culture, the degree of IEL activation showed a positive correlation with the degree of HLA-DR expression by the HT29 cells and the IEL secreted a IFN-gamma like factor that in turn stimulated the HT-29. Thus, depending on their expression of HLA molecules, colonic epithelial cells are able to activate CD3+CD8+IEL.
Hoang
P
P
Gastroenterology Unit, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford.
Crotty
B
B
Dalton
H R
HR
Jewell
D P
DP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology; D003106:Colon / Q000276:immunology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007371:Interferon-gamma