Rat Schwann cells can be induced to express major histocompatibility complex class II molecules in vivo.
J Neurocytol
; 21(5): 382-90, 1992 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-1607881
ABSTRACT
Previous studies, showing that cultured rat Schwann cells could be induced to express MHC class II molecules, raised the possibility that Schwann cells in living nerves might, under some conditions, express MHC class II molecules and take part in activation of T lymphocytes. In the present work, the ability of myelin- and non-myelin-forming Schwann cells in vivo to express MHC class II molecules was investigated. Lymphokines or bacterial antigens were injected into the living sciatic nerve of adult rats. Examination of the nerves three days after injection of interferon-gamma or six days after injection of either tumour necrosis factor, antigens from mycobacterium leprae or whole mycobacteria leprae, revealed strong MHC class II immunostaining on some myelin-forming Schwann cells in the vicinity of the injection site. Very few non-myelin-forming cells expressed MHC class II molecules. MHC class II positive mononuclear cells were present in the injected nerves and endothelial cells of capillaries expressed high levels of MHC class II antigens. Crushing the sciatic nerve without injection of factors also induced MHC class II molecules on a few Schwann cells. Thus rat Schwann cells can be induced to express MHC class II molecules in vivo as in vitro. This strengthens the possibility that in living nerves Schwann cells are able to function as accessory cells in the initiation or augmentation of T cell-mediated immune responses.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Células de Schwann
/
Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe II
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Neurocytol
Ano de publicação:
1992
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido