Human brain microvascular DR-antigen.
Antigen presentation within the human central nervous system by the class II histocompatibility DR-antigen may take place at either the brain capillary-endothelial interface or at perivascular cells, such as smooth muscle or pericytes. The present studies employ a new sensitive immunoperoxidase technique, a mouse monoclonal antibody to the human DR-antigen, and microvessels isolated from autopsied human brain. The experiments show that the DR-antigen is readily detectable in human microvasculature of normal brain and is found in the smooth muscle pre-capillary arterioles and capillary pericytes with minimal, if any, staining of capillary endothelium. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that antigen presentation in the CNS occurs primarily at a site immediately distal to the blood--endothelial interface.
Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-1682.
W M
WM
Pardridge
J
J
Yang
J
J
Buciak
W W
WW
Tourtellotte
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II