Immunological features of human corneal endothelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the function of human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC) as immunological cells.


METHODS
Expression of HLA-DP, -DQ, -DR, CD40, CD80 and CD86 was determined by immunohistochemical methods. Purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cocultured with HCEC, part of which had been pretreated with gamma-interferon (IFN), and activation of lymphocytes was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis.


RESULTS
In the coculture system, T lymphocytes were activated by corneal endothelial cells; HLA-DP, -DQ, -DR and CD40 expressions were increased by gamma-IFN pretreatment. Costimulatory CD80 was shown on the endothelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
HCEC can be assumed to be involved in the rejection process of corneal transplants as potential antigen-presenting cells.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. fanwang_hh@yahoo.com
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D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D006680:HLA Antigens