Antigen-presenting function of murine gonadal epithelial cell lines.
Murine Leydig (TM3) and Sertoli (TM4) cell lines were studied as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells using the antigen model of human choriogonadotropin (hCG alpha/beta) and specific T-cell hybridomas. Both cell lines were treated with IFN-gamma to induce I-A(d) and I-E(d) molecules expression. Only the TM3 cell line, which expressed MHC-class II molecules upon IFN-gamma stimulation, was able to uptake, process, and present the human choriogonadotropin beta subunit to related T-cell hybridomas. Interestingly, the TM3 cell line was incapable of presenting the human choriogonadotropin alpha subunit, the presentation of which, by classical APC, is highly efficient. Using T-cell hybridomas directed against the immunogenic regions of hCG alpha/beta previously described in BALB/c mice, we showed that the TM3 cell line generated a narrower peptide repertoire than classical APC (i.e., B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells). This experimental system suggests that Leydig cells could initiate, in vivo, an autoimmune process directed against gonadal tissues. In particular, such a mechanism has been evoked in experimental autoimmune orchitis.
Housseau
F
F
Laboratoire d'Immunologie des Tumeurs URA 1484 CNRS, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, France.
Rouas-Freiss
N
N
Roy
M
M
Bidart
J M
JM
Guillet
J G
JG
Bellet
D
D
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000502:physiology; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II