title: Uptake and presentation of antigen to T cells by primary colonic epithelial cells in normal and diseased states.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The immunoregulatory properties of primary colonic epithelial cells (CECs) have not been defined. The ability of CECs from wild-type and interleukin 2-deficient (IL-2(-/-)) mice to take up a complex protein antigen and present peptides via MHC molecules to T cells was assessed and contrasted with that of primary small intestinal epithelial cells (SIECs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled ovalbumin (FITC-OVA) by CECs and SIECs from wild-type and IL-2(-/-) mice was measured by flow cytometry. The effect of disrupting cytoskeleton organization and metabolic activity of CEC on antigen uptake was assessed. An OVA/I-A(b)-specific CD4(+) T-cell line transfected with an NFAT-lacZ reporter gene construct was used to evaluate the ability of CECs and SIECs as well as CECs from healthy and colitic IL-2(-/-) mice to present antigen to T cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uptake of FITC-OVA by CECs is concentration dependent, is not saturated at physiologic concentrations, and requires metabolically active cells. CECs from IL-2(-/-) mice take up significantly more antigen than those from wild-type mice. CECs are more efficient APCs than SIECs, and antigen-pulsed CECs from IL-2(-/-) mice induce the highest levels of T-cell activation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary CECs are efficient APCs for CD4 MHC class II-restricted T cells. Antigen uptake and presentation is up-regulated in animals prone to develop intestinal inflammation.
authors: Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
authors: G W
authors: GW
authors: Telega
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Baumgart
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Carding
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D000941:Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D003092:Colitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004751:Enteritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL / Q000235:genetics; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010047:Ovalbumin; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate