Mouse intestinal epithelial cells express the self superantigen Mls1a.
In previous studies, we demonstrated that intestinal epithelial cells of the mouse small intestine could present exogenous antigen to specific CD4+ T cell hybridomas. We now report on the ability of normal enterocytes to present the self superantigen Mls1a. Enterocytes from Mls1a but not from Mls1b strains stimulated interleukin-2 production through a V beta 6+ T cell hybridoma specific for Mls1a determinants. Antibody inhibition experiments showed that enterocytes presented Mls determinants via a major histocompatibility complex class II-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, the ability of enterocytes to activate V beta 6+ Mls1a-specific T cells was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against the Orf protein encoded by an Mtv-7 provirus which is associated with Mls1a expression. These findings provide evidence for the first time that Mls determinants are expressed on normal enterocytes and support the theory of a possible role of these cells in extrathymic selection of T cell receptor V beta repertoire of intraepithelial T lymphocytes.
Kaiserlian
D
D
Unité d'Immunologie et Stratégie Vaccinale, Institut Pasteur de Lyon, France.
Vidal
K
K
MacDonald
H R
HR
Grosjean
I
I
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D016747:Minor Lymphocyte Stimulatory Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016747:Minor Lymphocyte Stimulatory Antigens