Large, but not small, antigens require time- and temperature-dependent processing in accessory cells before they can be recognized by T cells

TY - JOUR

T1 - Large, but not small, antigens require time- and temperature-dependent processing in accessory cells before they can be recognized by T cells

AU - Buus, S

AU - Werdelin, O

N1 - Keywords: Angiotensin III; Animals; Antigen-Presenting Cells; Antigens; Chloroquine; Dinitrobenzenes; Formaldehyde; Guinea Pigs; Interleukin-1; Molecular Weight; Ovalbumin; Polylysine; Polymers; T-Lymphocytes; Temperature; Time Factors; Tuberculin

PY - 1986

Y1 - 1986

N2 - We have studied if antigens of different size and structure all require processing in antigen-presenting cells of guinea-pigs before they can be recognized by T cells. The method of mild paraformaldehyde fixation was used to stop antigen-processing in the antigen-presenting cells. As a measure of antigen presentation we used the proliferative response of appropriately primed T cells during a co-culture with the paraformaldehyde-fixed and antigen-exposed presenting cells. We demonstrate that the large synthetic polypeptide antigen, dinitrophenyl-poly-L-lysine, requires processing. After an initial time-lag of 30 min this antigen is fully processed within 2 to 4 of culture at 37 degrees C. In contrast, the immunogenic heptapeptide, angiotensin III, can be presented by pre-fixed accessory cells, viz. without any prior processing. Antigen processing was found to be temperature-dependent and consequently energy-requiring. Processing is strongly inhibited by the lysosomotrophic drug, chloroquine, suggesting a lysosomal involvement in antigen processing. The existence of a minor, non-lysosomal pathway is suggested, since small amounts of antigen were processed even at 10 degrees C, at which temperature no transport to and from the lysosomes can occur.

AB - We have studied if antigens of different size and structure all require processing in antigen-presenting cells of guinea-pigs before they can be recognized by T cells. The method of mild paraformaldehyde fixation was used to stop antigen-processing in the antigen-presenting cells. As a measure of antigen presentation we used the proliferative response of appropriately primed T cells during a co-culture with the paraformaldehyde-fixed and antigen-exposed presenting cells. We demonstrate that the large synthetic polypeptide antigen, dinitrophenyl-poly-L-lysine, requires processing. After an initial time-lag of 30 min this antigen is fully processed within 2 to 4 of culture at 37 degrees C. In contrast, the immunogenic heptapeptide, angiotensin III, can be presented by pre-fixed accessory cells, viz. without any prior processing. Antigen processing was found to be temperature-dependent and consequently energy-requiring. Processing is strongly inhibited by the lysosomotrophic drug, chloroquine, suggesting a lysosomal involvement in antigen processing. The existence of a minor, non-lysosomal pathway is suggested, since small amounts of antigen were processed even at 10 degrees C, at which temperature no transport to and from the lysosomes can occur.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 3487199

SN - 0903-465X

VL - 94

SP - 17

EP - 24

JO - APMIS. Supplementum

JF - APMIS. Supplementum

IS - 1

ER -