TY - JOUR
T1 - Human thymic epithelial cells present superantigens to T-cell lines and thymocytes
AU - Jlrgensen, A
AU - Nielsen, M
AU - Svejgaard, A
AU - Ledbetter, J A
AU - Odum, Niels
AU - Röpke, C
N1 - Keywords: Antibodies; Antigen Presentation; Antigens, Bacterial; Antigens, CD80; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cell Count; Cell Line; Child, Preschool; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Humans; Infant; Superantigens; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; T-Lymphocytes; Thymus Gland
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - It is generally accepted that thymic epithelial cells (TEC) act as accessory cells in positive selection of pre-T cells. However, our knowledge of the antigen presentation and accessory cell function to human TEC is limited. Here we present results obtained by the use of serum-free cultured human TEC, showing that IFN-gamma-treated TEC are able to support T-cell-mediated responses to the bacterial superantigens (Sag) SEA and SEB, even at very low Sag concentrations. T-cell responses to TEC-presented Sags were dependent on the presence of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, ICAM-2, LFA-1, and LFA-3, but not on CD4 and CD8 molecules. There is a low but significant expression of B7 molecules on human TEC, and treatment of TEC with anti-B7.1 and anti-B7.2 antibodies before Sag pulsing leads to decreased Sag responses, indicating a significant importance of B7 molecules on TEC. Both CD4+ T-cell lines and CD4+ as well as CD8+ subpopulations of thymocytes showed significant responses, whereas nonseparated thymocytes, CD4+8+, and CD4-CD8- thymocytes did not respond or showed very low responses. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that cultured human TEC are able to present Sag to thymocytes.
AB - It is generally accepted that thymic epithelial cells (TEC) act as accessory cells in positive selection of pre-T cells. However, our knowledge of the antigen presentation and accessory cell function to human TEC is limited. Here we present results obtained by the use of serum-free cultured human TEC, showing that IFN-gamma-treated TEC are able to support T-cell-mediated responses to the bacterial superantigens (Sag) SEA and SEB, even at very low Sag concentrations. T-cell responses to TEC-presented Sags were dependent on the presence of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, ICAM-2, LFA-1, and LFA-3, but not on CD4 and CD8 molecules. There is a low but significant expression of B7 molecules on human TEC, and treatment of TEC with anti-B7.1 and anti-B7.2 antibodies before Sag pulsing leads to decreased Sag responses, indicating a significant importance of B7 molecules on TEC. Both CD4+ T-cell lines and CD4+ as well as CD8+ subpopulations of thymocytes showed significant responses, whereas nonseparated thymocytes, CD4+8+, and CD4-CD8- thymocytes did not respond or showed very low responses. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that cultured human TEC are able to present Sag to thymocytes.
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 9165273
SN - 0254-9670
VL - 13
SP - 192
EP - 203
JO - Experimental and Clinical Immunogenetics
JF - Experimental and Clinical Immunogenetics
IS - 3-4
ER -