Cultured human epidermal cells do not synthesize HLA-DR

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• Transplantation Science

Background:

• Nucleated cells express Human Leukocyte Antigen - A, B, and C (HLA-A, B, C) antigens.
• Epidermal cells express HLA-DR antigens, which are potent transplantation immunogens.
• The expression of HLA-DR on cultured epidermal cells requires investigation for transplantation potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if epidermal cells synthesize and express HLA-DR antigens after prolonged in vitro culture.
• To assess the immunogenicity of cultured epidermal cells in the epidermal cell-lymphocyte reaction.
• To evaluate the potential of cultured epidermal cells for transplantation.

Main Methods:

• Prolonged in vitro culture of epidermal cells.
• Epidermal cell-lymphocyte reaction assays.
• Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibody.
• Biosynthetic labeling with 35S-methionine, immunoprecipitation, and 2D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Main Results:

• Epidermal cells cultured for 7 days or more did not stimulate allogeneic lymphocytes.
• Cultured epidermal cells lost HLA-DR antigen expression, confirmed by immunofluorescence.
• Biosynthetic labeling and immunoprecipitation revealed no detectable HLA-DR molecules in cultured cells.
• Cells retained beta 2-microglobulin expression.

Conclusions:

• Cultured epidermal cells lack HLA-DR antigen expression and synthesis.
• The absence of HLA-DR suggests reduced immunogenicity in cultured epidermal cells.
• A technique for culturing epidermal cells on gelatin membranes for potential transplantation is presented.