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Costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 in the rat; tissue distribution and expression by antigen‐presenting cells
Author(s) -
Damoiseaux Jan G. M. C.,
Yagita Hideo,
Okumura Ko,
Breda Vriesman Peter J. C.
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.64.6.803
Subject(s) - cd80 , cd86 , biology , cd40 , cd28 , antigen presenting cell , major histocompatibility complex , immune system , germinal center , antigen , antigen presentation , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , t cell , cytotoxic t cell , antibody , b cell , in vitro , biochemistry
The CD28‐CD80/CD86 costimulatory pathway provides a critical signal for T cell activation. Only recently rat CD80 and CD86 have been cloned and monoclonal antibodies have been generated. In this study we examined the expression of these molecules in lymphoid tissue and on purified subsets of antigen‐presenting cells (APC). The target tissue of cyclosporin A‐induced autoimmunity, i.e. the skin and tongue, were also examined for expression of CD80 and CD86. Whereas CD80 was hardly detected in the lymphoid tissues, CD86 was clearly expressed by non‐lymphoid cells in the thymus, as well as in the secondary lymphoid organs. With respect to lymphoid cells, only germinal center B cells exhibited clear CD86 expression. Phenotypic analysis by flow cytometry revealed that only dendritic cells, both of thymic and splenic origin, expressed the full array of stimulatory molecules required for the proper activation of naive T cells. On development of cyclosporin A‐induced autoimmunity, non‐professional APC, i.e. epithelial cells, started to express MHC class II, but not the costimulatory ligands CD80 and CD86. However, CD86 staining was observed in the target tissue and was associated with Langerhans cells as well as infiltrating leukocytes. Altogether, our results show that also in the rat strong stimulatory capacity for primary immune responses is associated with the expression of the costimulatory ligands CD80 and CD86. As concluded from the in situ expression CD86 may be the predominant costimulatory ligand early in immune responses. J. Leukoc. Biol. 64: 803–809; 1998.