title: Reactive astrocytes in chronic active lesions of multiple sclerosis express co-stimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2.
abstract: Astrocytes in active lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) express major histocompatibility (MHC) class II molecules, and may play an important role in the presentation of antigen to myelin-specific T cells.However, it has been postulated that astrocytes are unable to act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) because they would lack the B7 co-stimulatory molecules to activate these T cells. By using double labeling immunofluorescence staining, we demonstrate that reactive astrocytes in chronic active plaques of multiple sclerosis express the co-stimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2, and hence have the necessary attributes to act as antigen-presenting cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zeinstra
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wilczak
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Keyser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; C497964:CD86 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins