Intestinal myofibroblasts and immune tolerance.
Stromal cells, such as myofibroblasts and fibroblasts, represent a significant fraction of MHC class II-positive cells in the normal human colonic lamina propria, suggesting they may play an important role in CD4(+) T cell regulation in a tolerogenic environment. The aim of this study was to examine whether human colonic myofibroblasts (CMFs) phenotypically and functionally resemble conventional antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Our results support the hypothesis that intestinal myofibroblasts are a novel, nonprofessional APC phenotype important in modulating mucosal T cell responses. Given their strategic location, we propose that intestinal myofibroblasts play a critical role in mediating tolerance to luminal antigens.
Saada
J I
JI
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, 301 University Boulevard, Route 1058, Galveston, TX 77555-1058, USA. jsaada@utmb.edu
Barrera
C A
CA
Reyes
V E
VE
Adegboyega
P A
PA
Suarez
G
G
Tamerisa
R A
RA
Pang
K F
KF
Bland
D A
DA
Mifflin
R C
RC
DI Mari
J F
JF
Powell
D W
DW
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology*; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000276:immunology*
D006681:HLA-D Antigens