Rat Schwann cells produce interleukin-1

There is increasing evidence that Schwann cells of peripheral nerves may be able to function as accessory cells, interacting with the immune system in T cell-mediated immune responses, by expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. In addition to MHC class II-associated presentation of antigen to T lymphocytes, the release of a co-stimulatory factor, interleukin-1 (IL-1), is an essential function of accessory cells for T cell activation. In this study, we investigated if Schwann cells were able to produce IL-1. Purified cultures of neonatal and adult rat Schwann cells were incubated with various stimulatory agents. Supernatants and cell lysates were collected from these cultures and IL-1 activity was assayed. Both neonatal and adult rat Schwann cells produced IL-1 activity in response to bacterial antigens and the IL-1 activity was often higher in the cell lysate than in the supernatant. When stimulated neonatal or adult rat Schwann cells were examined with antibody against IL-1, strong immunolabelling was seen intracellularly, but no IL-1 was detected on the cell surface. Since IL-1 plays an important role in the initiation of immune responses, these observations support the view that Schwann cells may function as antigen-presenting cells, thereby taking part in neuroimmunological responses within peripheral nerves.