Synovial cells are potent antigen-presenting cells for superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB).
There is ample evidence suggesting that superantigens may act as a triggering factor in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether superantigen could activate T cells in the presence of synovial cells. T cells were cultured with SEB in the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-treated synovial cells. T cell proliferation and activation were assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation and IL-2 production. The expression of HLA class II antigens and adhesion molecules on synovial cells was detected by flow cytometer. In the presence of IFN-gamma-treated synovial cells, T cells proliferated vigorously and produced IL-2 in response to SEB. A low SEB-induced T cell response was noticed in the presence of untreated synovial cells. Allogeneic as well as autologous IFN-gamma-treated synovial cells markedly enhanced SEB-induced T cell proliferation. IFN-gamma-treated synovial cells had increased expression of HLA class II antigens and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) adhesion molecules. MoAbs towards these antigens markedly inhibited the SEB-induced T cell response. These results indicate that activated synovial cells are potent antigen-presenting cells for SEB to T cells, and that superantigens may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of RA through activated synovial cells.
Origuchi
T
T
First Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
Eguchi
K
K
Kawabe
Y
Y
Mizokami
A
A
Ida
H
H
Nagataki
S
S
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology*; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000276:immunology; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D004768:Enterotoxins; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D018089:Superantigens; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal