title: Interferon-beta impairs induction of HLA-DR antigen expression in cultured adult human astrocytes.
abstract: We studied the effect of interferons on the expression of class II histocompatibility (HLA-DR) antigens by cultured adult human astrocytes. Cultures were derived from brain tissue resected for surgical treatment of intractable epilepsy. Cultured astrocytes did not spontaneously display HLA-DR antigen as determined by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry with antibody to HLA-DR. Astrocytes cultured for 72 h with recombinant or natural interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in HLA-DR expression with optimal stimulation by 100 U/ml IFN gamma. HLA-DR expression was not detectable in astrocytes cultured with IFN gamma for less then 48 h, and peak HLA-DR expression (over 80% of cells) was seen at 120 h of culture. Optimal HLA-DR expression required continuous presence of IFN gamma. Exposure of astrocytes to recombinant or natural interferon-beta (IFN beta) did not induce HLA-DR and pretreatment of astrocytes with IFN beta or interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) significantly inhibited subsequent induction of HLA-DR expression by IFN gamma. These observations suggest that interferons may function in regulating human astrocyte HLA-DR expression within the central nervous system.
authors: Department of Immunopathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195-5131.
authors: B P
authors: BP
authors: Barna
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Chou
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Jacobs
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Yen-Lieberman
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Ransohoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003208:Concanavalin A; D003470:Culture Media; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D008222:Lymphokines; C021649:concanavalin A-induced helper factors; D003208:Concanavalin A