The presence of activated CD4(+) T cells is essential for the formation of colony-forming unit-endothelial cells by CD14(+) cells.
The number of colony forming unit-endothelial cells (CFU-EC) in human peripheral blood was found to be a biological marker for several vascular diseases. In this study, the heterogeneous composition of immune cells in the CFU-ECs was investigated. We confirmed that monocytes are essential for the formation of CFU-ECs. Also, however, CD4(+) T cells were found to be indispensable for the induction of CFU-EC colonies, mainly through cell-cell contact. By blocking or activating CD3 receptors on CD4(+) T cells or blocking MHC class II molecules on monocytes, it was shown that TCR-MHCII interactions are required for induction of CFU-EC colonies. Because the supernatant from preactivated T cells could also induce colony formation from purified monocytes, the T cell support turned out to be cytokine mediated. Gene expression analysis of the endothelial-like colonies formed by CD14(+) cells showed that colony formation is a proangiogenic differentiation and might reflect the ability of monocytes to facilitate vascularization. This in vitro study is the first to reveal the role of TCR-MHC class II interactions between T cells and monocytes and the subsequent inflammatory response as stimulus of monocytic properties that are associated with vascularization.
van Beem
Rachel T
RT
Department of Experimental Immunohematology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Noort
Willy A
WA
Voermans
Carlijn
C
Kleijer
Marion
M
ten Brinke
Anja
A
van Ham
S Marieke
SM
van der Schoot
C Ellen
CE
Zwaginga
Jaap Jan
JJ
D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell