Title: MHC class II-expressing hepatocytes function as antigen-presenting cells and activate specific CD4 T lymphocyutes
Abstract: HepatologyVolume 37, Issue 5 p. 1079-1085 Original ArticleFree Access MHC class II-expressing hepatocytes function as antigen-presenting cells and activate specific CD4 T lymphocyutes Johannes Herkel, Johannes Herkel I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorBettina Jagemann, Bettina Jagemann I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorChristiane Wiegard, Christiane Wiegard I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany Department of Immunology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorJose Francisco Garcia Lazaro, Jose Francisco Garcia Lazaro I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorStefan Lueth, Stefan Lueth I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorStephan Kanzler, Stephan Kanzler I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorManfred Blessing, Manfred Blessing I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorEdgar Schmitt, Edgar Schmitt Department of Immunology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorAnsgar W. Lohse, Corresponding Author Ansgar W. Lohse [email protected] I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanyDepartment of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany; fax: (49) 6131-172728===Search for more papers by this author Johannes Herkel, Johannes Herkel I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorBettina Jagemann, Bettina Jagemann I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorChristiane Wiegard, Christiane Wiegard I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany Department of Immunology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorJose Francisco Garcia Lazaro, Jose Francisco Garcia Lazaro I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorStefan Lueth, Stefan Lueth I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorStephan Kanzler, Stephan Kanzler I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorManfred Blessing, Manfred Blessing I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorEdgar Schmitt, Edgar Schmitt Department of Immunology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorAnsgar W. Lohse, Corresponding Author Ansgar W. Lohse [email protected] I. Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, GermanyDepartment of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany; fax: (49) 6131-172728===Search for more papers by this author First published: 30 December 2003 https://doi.org/10.1053/jhep.2003.50191Citations: 112AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract The ability to activate CD4 T cells is restricted to antigen-presenting cells that express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. Parenchymal cells normally do not express MHC class II molecules; however, in clinical hepatitis, viral or autoimmune, hepatocytes often exhibit aberrant MHC class II expression. It is not known whether MHC class II-expressing hepatocytes can function as antigen-presenting cells, but it has been suggested that aberrant MHC class II expression by parenchymal cells may cause autoimmune disease. Therefore, we generated transgenic mice that specifically overexpress class II transactivator molecules in hepatocytes. Hepatocytes from these mice exhibited stable MHC class II expression and were used to stimulate CD4 T cells from T-cell receptor transgenic mice and CD4 T-cell lines. MHC II-expressing hepatocytes featured costimulatory CD80 molecules and could serve as antigen-presenting cells that were able to process protein antigen and to activate specific CD4 T cells. Nevertheless, the transgenic mice with aberrant hepatocellular MHC class II expression did not exhibit any symptoms of autoimmune disease. In conclusion, MHC II-expressing hepatocytes, as found in clinical hepatitis, can present antigen and activate CD4 T cells. The ability of hepatocytes to present antigen on MHC II molecules does not seem to be a sufficient cause for inflammatory autoimmunity and hepatitis. However, we still need to explore whether such antigen presentation is occurring in vivo. The transgenic mice described in this study may serve as a model to study the immune interaction of hepatocytes and CD4 T cells in both in vitro and in vivo. Citing Literature Volume37, Issue5May 2003Pages 1079-1085 ReferencesRelatedInformation