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Expression of functional major histocompatility complex class II molecules on HMC‐1 human mast cells
Author(s) -
Dimitriadou Violetta,
Mécheri Salaheddine,
Koutsilieris Michael,
Fraser William,
AlDaccak Reem,
Mourad Walid
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.64.6.791
Subject(s) - biology , mast (botany) , microbiology and biotechnology , class (philosophy) , mast cell , immunology , computational biology , artificial intelligence , computer science
Mast cells hold a key position in the defensive mechanisms against exogenous intruders. In this study, we investigated whether human mast cells express functional major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules that can transduce endogenous signals and present staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) to T cells. Similar to HMC‐1 human mast cell line, umbilical cord blood‐derived mast cells express HLA‐DR, ‐DP and ‐DQ molecules on their surface. MHC class II molecules expressed on HMC‐1 cells bind significantly the SEA (a natural MHC class II ligand), and their ligation with specific mAbs or with SEA, leads ultrastructural chages, suggesting their degranulation. Recognition of SEA‐bound MHC class II molecules on HMC‐1 mast cells by the T cell receptor of K25 cells, an SEA‐specific murine T cell hybridoma, triggers significant IL‐2 secretion by these T cell hybridomas. Hence, our data point out the expression of functional MHC class II molecules on human mast cells, reinforcing the implication of these cells in the defense mechanisms of acquired immunity. J. Leukoc. Biol. 64: 791–799; 1998.