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Antigen processing and presentation by glomerular visceral epithelium in vitro.
D L Mendrick1, D M Kelly, H G Rennke
1Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Kidney International
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) can act as antigen-presenting cells (APC), processing and presenting antigens to T cells. This finding suggests a novel role for GEC in immune responses within the kidney.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Macrophages are the primary antigen-presenting cells (APC).
- Parenchymal and mesenchymal cells are increasingly recognized for their APC potential.
- The role of glomerular visceral epithelial cells (GEC) as APC is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of cultured GEC to function as APC.
- To compare the APC capacity of GEC with that of peritoneal macrophages.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying GEC antigen presentation.
Main Methods:
- Cultured rat GEC were exposed to various antigens (hen egg lysozyme, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, cationic ferritin).
- Antigen presentation was assessed using antigen-specific T cell hybridomas.
- Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by T cells indicated the level of antigen presentation.
Main Results:
- Cytokine-treated GEC effectively processed and presented all tested antigens in a dose-dependent manner.
- Intracellular antigen processing and the presence of Ia molecules on the GEC surface were critical for antigen presentation.
- GEC demonstrated comparable APC capacity to peritoneal macrophages.
Conclusions:
- Glomerular visceral epithelial cells (GEC) are capable of acting as effective antigen-presenting cells (APC).
- GEC antigen presentation involves intracellular processing and Ia expression.
- This APC function of GEC may play a significant role in glomerular immune injury in vivo.