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Functional recognition of in vivo processed self antigen
1National Institute for Medical Research, Department of Molecular Immunology, Mill Hill, London, UK.
International Immunology
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Dendritic cells are crucial for T cell recognition of soluble self proteins like complement component 5 (C5). These specialized cells efficiently present processed C5, inducing immune tolerance in CD4+ T cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Complement component 5 (C5) is a circulating self protein.
- C5 induces tolerance in MHC class II restricted, CD4+ T cells.
- Recognition involves C5 presentation by antigen-presenting cells (APCs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of APCs in the recognition of in vivo processed C5.
- To identify the most efficient APCs for presenting C5 to T cells.
- To understand the mechanism of C5 presentation and T cell activation.
Main Methods:
- Activation of C5-specific T cell hybrids co-cultured with APCs from C5-expressing mice.
- Isolation and characterization of dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells from various tissues.
- Analysis of C5 peptide-MHC class II complex presentation on APC surfaces.
Main Results:
- Dendritic cells were the most potent APCs for C5 presentation, requiring significantly fewer cells than macrophages or B cells.
- Stimulatory C5-MHC class II complexes were retained on dendritic cells but not other APCs.
- Thymic dendritic cells, but not macrophages, presented processed C5.
Conclusions:
- Dendritic cells play a critical role in the immune system's recognition of soluble self proteins.
- Efficient presentation of C5 by dendritic cells is key to inducing tolerance in CD4+ T cells.
- This highlights the importance of dendritic cells in maintaining self-tolerance.