Murine enterocytes can present soluble antigen to specific class II-restricted CD4+ T cells.
Highly purified mature epithelial cells (EC) from murine small intestinal villi (excluding Peyer's patch epithelium) were examined for their capacity to present foreign antigen to T cells. Cell suspensions composed of 99% Ia+T200- EC were able to present keyhole limpet hemocyanin to an antigen-specific class II-restricted L3T4+ T cell hybridoma, and stimulate interleukin 2 production. Antigen presentation by EC was inhibited by major histocompatibility complex class II-specific monoclonal antibodies. It is concluded that EC express functional class II molecules and may activate adjacent CD4+ T cells to induce lymphokine synthesis.
Kaiserlian
D
D
Immunology Laboratory, INSERM U80 CNRS URA 1177 UCBL, Hôpital E. Herriot, Lyon, France.
Vidal
K
K
Revillard
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006825:Hybridomas; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
D006183:H-2 Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007376:Interleukin-2