Human thymic epithelial cells express functional HLA-DP molecules

TY - JOUR

T1 - Human thymic epithelial cells express functional HLA-DP molecules

AU - Jørgensen, A

AU - Röpke, C

AU - Nielsen, M

AU - Madsen, H

AU - Svejgaard, A

AU - Odum, Niels

N1 - Keywords: Child, Preschool; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; HLA-DP Antigens; Humans; Infant; Interferon-gamma; Thymus Gland

PY - 1996

Y1 - 1996

N2 - HLA-DP molecules function as restriction elements in the presentation of foreign antigens to T cells by antigen presenting cells and certain HLA-DP molecules confer susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Because HLA molecules play an essential role in thymic selection and elimination of autoreactive T lymphocytes, we examined whether human thymic epithelial cells (TEC) expressed HLA-DP molecules. We present evidence that TEC obtained from short time culture express low but significant levels of HLA-DP molecules. The expression of HLA-DP molecules was comparable to or higher than the expression of HLA-DQ but lower than that of HLA-DR. Upon IFN-gamma treatment, HLA-DP expression was strongly upregulated. Since HLA-DQ and DR expression was upregulated in parallel, the hierarchy between MHC class II isotypes remained unchanged following interferon treatment. TEC elicited significant proliferation of HLA-DP allospecific primed lymphocyte typing (PLT) CD4 T cell lines. IFN-gamma treatment strongly upregulated the HLA-DP allospecific PLT responses whereas other PLT responses remained largely unchanged. In conclusion, these data indicate that human thymus epithelial cells express significant levels of functional HLA-DP molecules.

AB - HLA-DP molecules function as restriction elements in the presentation of foreign antigens to T cells by antigen presenting cells and certain HLA-DP molecules confer susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Because HLA molecules play an essential role in thymic selection and elimination of autoreactive T lymphocytes, we examined whether human thymic epithelial cells (TEC) expressed HLA-DP molecules. We present evidence that TEC obtained from short time culture express low but significant levels of HLA-DP molecules. The expression of HLA-DP molecules was comparable to or higher than the expression of HLA-DQ but lower than that of HLA-DR. Upon IFN-gamma treatment, HLA-DP expression was strongly upregulated. Since HLA-DQ and DR expression was upregulated in parallel, the hierarchy between MHC class II isotypes remained unchanged following interferon treatment. TEC elicited significant proliferation of HLA-DP allospecific primed lymphocyte typing (PLT) CD4 T cell lines. IFN-gamma treatment strongly upregulated the HLA-DP allospecific PLT responses whereas other PLT responses remained largely unchanged. In conclusion, these data indicate that human thymus epithelial cells express significant levels of functional HLA-DP molecules.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 8773319

SN - 2059-2302

VL - 47

SP - 300

EP - 306

JO - HLA

JF - HLA

IS - 4

ER -