Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
05:47
Isolation of Murine Lymph Node Stromal Cells
Published on: August 19, 2014
Anergic T cells inhibit the antigen-presenting function of dendritic cells
S Vendetti1, J G Chai, J Dyson
1Department of Immunology, Imperial College School of Medicine, and Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|July 21, 2000
Summary
Anergic T cells suppress immune responses by inhibiting antigen presentation in dendritic cells (DC). This cell-contact-dependent mechanism hinders T cell activation, impacting infectious tolerance and allograft survival.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transplantation immunology
Background:
- Infectious tolerance and linked-suppression are known phenomena but their underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Anergic T cells are capable of inhibiting responsive T cells in vitro and extending skin allograft survival in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms by which anergic T cells exert their suppressive effects.
- To elucidate the role of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in T cell anergy and suppression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized allospecific mouse T cell clones rendered anergic in vitro.
- Co-cultured anergic T cells with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs).
- Assessed T cell proliferation and DC surface marker expression (MHC class II, CD80, CD86).
Main Results:
- Anergic T cells inhibited proliferation of responsive T cells specific for the same alloantigens.
- Inhibition required the presence of APCs; responses to anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies were unaffected.
- Co-culture with anergic T cells down-regulated MHC class II, CD80, and CD86 expression on DCs.
- Suppression was cell-contact-dependent, not mediated by soluble factors like IL-4, IL-10, or TGF-beta.
Conclusions:
- Anergic T cells act as suppressor cells by inhibiting antigen presentation by dendritic cells.
- This suppression occurs through a cell contact-dependent mechanism, affecting DC's ability to stimulate T cells.
- Findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms of infectious tolerance and immune suppression.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:22Antigen Presenting Cells
The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that protects the body from foreign invaders. T cells, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in this process. They recognize and attack foreign substances, such as pathogens, that enter the body.
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...