Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
13:08
Expansion of Human Peripheral Blood γδ T Cells using Zoledronate
Published on: September 9, 2011
IFN-gamma down-regulates MHC expression and antigen processing in a human B cell line
1Department of Immunology, Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences, University College London Medical School, United Kingdom.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|January 23, 1999
Summary
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) negatively regulates B cell function by down-regulating MHC expression and antigen presentation. This impacts Th1 vs Th2 differentiation and immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is vital for cell-mediated Th1 responses.
- IFN-gamma generally inhibits B cell differentiation and proliferation.
- It plays a key role in directing Th1 versus Th2 cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how IFN-gamma affects HLA-DR expression and antigen presentation in EBV-transformed human B cells.
- To understand the posttranscriptional mechanisms involved in IFN-gamma's regulation of B cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized EBV-transformed human B cell lines.
- Assessed surface MHC expression.
- Measured antigen processing and presentation capabilities.
- Analyzed lysosomal enzyme activity.
Main Results:
- IFN-gamma down-regulates surface MHC class II (HLA-DR) expression on B cells.
- This MHC down-regulation is a posttranscriptional event.
- Antigen processing and presentation of exogenous antigens are reduced.
- Lysosomal enzymes cathepsins B and D show increased activity.
Conclusions:
- IFN-gamma negatively modulates B cell antigen-presenting function.
- The observed effects are mediated by posttranscriptional regulation and altered lysosomal enzyme activity.
- IFN-gamma's role in B cell regulation influences immune responses and differentiation pathways.
Related Concept Videos
02:26NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
01:15Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:28Cells of the Innate Immune Response
The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...