title: Expression of antigen processing and presenting molecules by Schwann cells in inflammatory neuropathies.
abstract: Schwann cells are the myelinating glia cells of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and can become targets of an autoimmune response in inflammatory neuropathies like the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) are known to promote autoimmune responses in target tissues by presenting self-antigens. Other cell types could participate in local autoimmune responses by acting as nonprofessional APCs. Using a combined approach of immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry analysis we demonstrate that human Schwann cells express the antigen processing and presenting machinery (APM) in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, cultured human Schwann cells increase the expression of proteasome subunit delta (Y), antigen peptide transporter TAP2, and HLA Class I and HLA Class II complexes in an inflammatory environment. In correlation with this observation, Schwann cells in sural nerve biopsies from GBS patients show increased expression of antigen processing and presenting molecules. Furthermore, cultured human Schwann cells can proteolytically digest fluorescently-labeled nonmammalian antigen ovalbumin. Taken together, our data suggest antigen processing and presentation as a possible function of Schwann cells that may contribute to (auto)immune responses within peripheral nerves.
authors: Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. gerd.mzh@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors: Gerd
authors: G
authors: Meyer Zu Horste
authors: Holger
authors: H
authors: Heidenreich
authors: Helmar C
authors: HC
authors: Lehmann
authors: Soldano
authors: S
authors: Ferrone
authors: Hans-Peter
authors: HP
authors: Hartung
authors: Heinz
authors: H
authors: Wiendl
authors: Bernd C
authors: BC
authors: Kieseier
mesh_terms: D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000378:metabolism; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000494:pharmacology; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000071450:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D009418:S100 Proteins; C071692:TAP2 protein, human; D010047:Ovalbumin; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex