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Isolation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from the Mouse Intestine
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Delineation of a CD1d-restricted antigen presentation pathway associated with human and mouse intestinal epithelial

Yvonne van de Wal1, Nadia Corazza, Matthieu Allez

  • 1Gastroenterology Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Gastroenterology
|May 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) present glycolipid antigens via CD1d molecules to natural killer T (NK-T) cells. This CD1d-restricted antigen presentation exhibits basal surface polarity, suggesting a role in mucosal immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) express CD1d, a molecule presenting glycolipid antigens to natural killer T (NK-T) cells.
  • CD1d-restricted antigen presentation by IECs has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine CD1d-restricted antigen presentation by IECs.
  • To investigate the functional expression and polarity of CD1d on IECs.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mouse (MODE-K) and human (T84) epithelial cell lines, including CD1d-transfected variants.
  • Assessed antigen presentation using alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha GalCer) and NK-T cell activation markers (IL-2, IL-4).
  • Examined presentation polarity on apical versus basal surfaces of epithelial cells.

Main Results:

  • Both MODE-K and primary human IECs presented alpha GalCer in a CD1d-dependent manner to NK-T cells.
  • CD1d-transfected T84 cells showed polarized antigen presentation, with greater activity on the basal surface.
  • IECs did not present glycolipid antigens requiring intracellular processing.

Conclusions:

  • IECs functionally express CD1d, mediating glycolipid antigen presentation to T cells.
  • The basal > apical polarity of CD1d presentation suggests a role in mucosal immune responses.
  • CD1d on IECs is crucial for presenting specific antigens to local CD1d-restricted T cells.
Abstract

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