Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines present M. leprae antigens to T cells.
We have investigated whether or not Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid B cell lines (EBV-BLCL) are able to present Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) to antigen-reactive T cell lines and clones. Such EBV-BLCL would provide us with a homogeneous and unlimited source of antigen-presenting cells. Antigen-triggered proliferation of T cells has been studied with co-cultures either with autologous or allogeneic irradiated EBV-BLCL. Our results show that EBV-BLCL are able to present M. leprae as efficiently as peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and that they also function in an HLA-DR-restricted fashion. Apart from their possible in vivo relevance, these results have important practical implications, in particular for the generation and study of M. leprae-reactive T-cell clones.
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II