title: Intestinal myofibroblasts and immune tolerance.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, 301 University Boulevard, Route 1058, Galveston, TX 77555-1058, USA. jsaada@utmb.edu
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Saada
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Adegboyega
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Tamerisa
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bland
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mifflin
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: DI Mari
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D006681:HLA-D Antigens