Identification of antigen presenting cells in normal and transplanted human heart: importance of endothelial cells.
The nature of class II-positive cells in normal and transplanted human heart has been investigated using immunoperoxidase and dual-immunofluorescent techniques. In normal heart approximately 83% of DR expression can be accounted for by EN4+ endothelial cells, most of which express intercellular adhesion molecule 1 constitutively. Few cells bearing the leukocyte common antigen are found in normal heart; most of them are RFD7+ macrophages or T cells. There is a paucity of RFD1+ dendritic cells. In transplanted heart showing signs of rejection, the infiltrate consists of RFD7+, RFD1+, RFD7+, RFD1+ cells and T lymphocytes. The increased class II expression within these biopsies is confined to the infiltrating cells. Dual-immunofluorescence demonstrates that nearly all the RFD1+ cells are from the recipient. In conclusion, in normal heart presentation of allogeneic class II is by the intercellular adhesion molecule-1-positive endothelial cells. After transplantation, there is an influx of recipient cells of the macrophage/dendritic series which are probably able to process allogeneic class II.
Rose
M L
ML
Immunology Department, Harefield Hospital, Middlesex, U.K.
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C
C
Hengstenberg
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C
Yacoub
M H
MH
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000032:analysis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1