Are the mast cells antigen presenting cells?
Mast cells have an important role in allergic reactions secreting histamine and other mediators of immediate hypersensitivity. In the present study we evaluated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen expression in mast cells and their possible role in antigen presentation. In rats, 10% of mast cells isolated from the pleural cavity expressed MHC class II antigen; after incubation with gamma interferon (INF) 80% of the cells were positive. These findings suggest that mast cells, in addition to their secretory function in allergic reactions, may also function as antigen presenting cells.
Banovac
K
K
Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101.
Neylan
D
D
Leone
J
J
Ghandur-Mnaymneh
L
L
Rabinovitch
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D010994:Pleura / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D011913:Rats, Inbred BB; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma