HLA-DM and invariant chain are expressed by thyroid follicular cells, enabling the expression of compact DR molecules

Marta Catálfamo, Laurence Serradell, Carme Roura-Mir, Edgardo Kolkowski, Mireia Sospedra, Marta Vives-Pi, Francesca Vargas-Nieto, Ricardo Pujol-Borrell, Dolores Jaraquemada

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Thyroid follicular cells (TFC) in Graves' disease (GD) hyperexpress HLA class I and express ectopic HLA class II molecules, probably as a consequence of cytokines produced by infiltrating T cells. This finding led us to postulate that TFC could act as antigen-presenting cells, and in this way be responsible for the induction and/or maintenance of the in situ autoimmune T cell response. Invariant chain (li) and HLA-DM molecules are implicated in the antigen processing and presentation by HLA class II molecules. We have investigated the expression of these molecules by TFC from GD glands. The results demonstrate that class II+ TFC from GD patients also express li and HLA-DM, and this expression is increased after IFN-γ stimulation. The level of HLA-DM expression by TFC was low but sufficient to catalyze peptide loading into the HLA class II molecules and form stable HLA class II-peptide complexes expressed at the surface of TFC. These results have implications for the understanding of the possible role of HLA class Il+ TFC in thyroid autoimmune disease.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)269-277
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Immunology
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Feb 1999

Keywords

  • Class II molecules
  • Peptides
  • Thyroid autoimmunity
  • Thyroid follicular cell

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'HLA-DM and invariant chain are expressed by thyroid follicular cells, enabling the expression of compact DR molecules'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this