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Brain microvascular smooth muscle expresses class II antigens.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|May 1, 1987
Summary
Activated smooth muscle cells from mouse brains can trigger vasculitis. These smooth muscle cells express class II antigens, suggesting they may present antigens to lymphocytes, initiating an immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- In vitro co-culture of mouse splenic lymphocytes with syngeneic brain-derived microvascular smooth muscle (SM) leads to lymphocyte proliferation and activation.
- Transfer of these activated lymphocytes into a syngeneic host results in the development of vasculitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antigen-presenting capabilities of cultured brain microvascular smooth muscle cells.
- To determine the expression of class II (Ia) antigens on these smooth muscle cells.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis was used to quantify class II antigen expression.
- SM cells were stained with anti-IE and anti-IA antibodies of the H2d haplotype.
- Brain microvascular endothelial cells from BALB/c mice served as a comparative control.
Main Results:
- An average of 31% of unstimulated SM cells expressed IE, and 20% expressed IA.
- Control antibodies of irrelevant isotype and haplotype (H2s) showed negative staining.
- BALB/c brain microvascular endothelial cells exhibited significantly lower class II antigen expression (7% for both IA and IE).
Conclusions:
- Cultured mouse brain microvascular smooth muscle cells express class II (Ia) antigens.
- These findings suggest that smooth muscle cells possess antigen-presenting properties.
- Smooth muscle cell-derived antigen presentation may play a role in initiating the immune response leading to vasculitis.