Mouse pancreatic beta cells express MHC class II and stimulate CD4(+) T cells to proliferate

作者：Zhao Yuxing; Scott Nicholas A; Quah Hong Sheng; Krishnamurthy Balasubramanian; Bond Francene; Loudovaris Thomas; Mannering Stuart I; Kay Thomas W H; Thomas Helen E^*

来源：European Journal of Immunology, 2015, 45(9): 2494-2503.

DOI：10.1002/eji.201445378

• Autoimmune diabetes
• CD4(+) T cells
• MHC class II
• Pancreatic beta cell

Type 1 diabetes results from destruction of pancreatic beta cells by autoreactive T cells. Both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells have been shown to mediate beta-cell killing. While CD8(+) T cells can directly recognize MHC class I on beta cells, the interaction between CD4(+) T cells and beta cells remains unclear. Genetic association studies have strongly implicated HLA-DQ alleles in human type 1 diabetes. Here we studied MHC class II expression on beta cells in nonobese diabetic mice that were induced to develop diabetes by diabetogenic CD4(+) T cells with T-cell receptors that recognize beta-cell antigens. Acute infiltration of CD4(+) T cells in islets occurred with rapid onset of diabetes. Beta cells from islets with immune infiltration expressed MHC class II mRNA and protein. Exposure of beta cells to IFN-gamma increased MHC class II gene expression, and blocking IFN-gamma signaling in beta cells inhibited MHC class II upregulation. IFN-gamma also increased HLA-DR expression in human islets. MHC class II+ beta cells stimulated the proliferation of beta-cell-specific CD4(+) T cells. Our study indicates that MHC class II molecules may play an important role in beta-cell interaction with CD4(+) T cells in the development of type 1 diabetes.

• 出版日期2015-9