Endothelial Cells as Antigen-Presenting Cells. An Historical Note

Vascular endothelial cells are implicated in allograft rejection, protection against pathogens, and lymphocyte recruitment from the bloodstream into sites of infection and inflammation. Endothelial cells have been termed 'semiprofessional' antigen-presenting cells because they co-stimulate T cell responses in vitro and because they are thought to stimulate alloresponses in vivo. Endothelial cells promote T cell transendothelial migration and activation, leading to tissue damage, such as vascular permeability, edema, and inflammation.