Related Experiment Videos
Antigen presentation by rat brain and retinal endothelial cells
Y Wang1, V L Calder, S L Lightman
1Department of Clinical Science, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
Journal of Neuroimmunology
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Endothelial cells (EC) in the brain and retina can influence T cell responses. Confluent EC monolayers reduce T cell responsiveness, suggesting a role in regulating immune cell traffic across central nervous system barriers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endothelial cells (EC) form critical barriers in the central nervous system (CNS): the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retinal barrier.
- These ECs are implicated in modulating T cell responses within the CNS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of brain and retinal ECs to influence T cell responses in vitro.
- To determine the role of ECs in regulating T cell proliferation and responsiveness.
Main Methods:
- Lewis rat brain and retinal ECs were cultured in vitro.
- ECs were treated with interferon-gamma to assess MHC class II expression.
- Antigen-specific CD4+ T cells were co-cultured with EC monolayers to evaluate T cell-mediated lysis and proliferation.
- T cell responsiveness was assessed after exposure to confluent and subconfluent EC monolayers.
Main Results:
- Both brain and retinal ECs expressed MHC class II I-A molecules after interferon-gamma treatment.
- CD4+ T cells mediated lysis of both brain and retinal EC monolayers in an antigen-dependent manner.
- Confluent EC monolayers poorly supported T cell proliferation, while subconfluent ECs supported proliferation in an MHC class II (I-A)-restricted manner.
- Exposure to confluent EC monolayers rendered T cells less responsive to subsequent antigen presentation, unlike exposure to subconfluent ECs.
Conclusions:
- Non-proliferating endothelial cell monolayers can downregulate T cell responsiveness.
- These findings suggest a mechanism by which ECs regulate lymphocyte traffic across CNS blood-tissue barriers.
- Endothelial cells play a significant role in immune surveillance and regulation within the CNS.