Induction of HLA-DR expression in endometrial epithelial cells by endometrial T-cells: potential regulatory role of endometrial T-cells in vivo

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1991 Dec;73(6):1352-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem-73-6-1352.

Abstract

Endometrial epithelial cells express HLA-DR molecules of the major histocompatibility complex in vivo adjacent to aggregates of T-cells in the endometrial stroma. To test whether HLA-DR expression on endometrial epithelium is mediated by T-cells, endometrial T-cells were isolated from human endometrium by the sheep red blood cell rosetting technique. In contrast to the resting T-cells from peripheral blood and similar to the peripheral blood T-cells activated with Concanavalin-A, endometrial T-cells formed colonies in vitro. Direct addition of the endometrial T-cells to epithelial cell cultures derived from autologous glands induced both morphological changes as well as HLA-DR molecules in the epithelial cells. The intensity of the immunostained HLA-DR molecules in the epithelial cells as well as the percentages of the HLA-DR-positive epithelial cells correlated with the number of T-cells added to the epithelial cell cultures. T-Cells were bound to the HLA-DR-positive epithelial cells as single cells or aggregates, and they were not found bound to the HLA-DR-negative epithelial cells. The supernatant of the endometrial T-cells induced expression of HLA-DR molecules and morphological changes in cultures of HLA-DR-negative epithelial cells. This expression could be inhibited by a neutralizing antiserum to interferon-gamma. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that endometrial T-cells are activated and suggest that the expression of HLA-DR molecules in glandular epithelium in vivo is mediated by the interferon-gamma secreted by the endometrial T-cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Endometrium / cytology
  • Endometrium / immunology*
  • Female
  • HLA-DR Antigens / analysis
  • HLA-DR Antigens / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Interferon-gamma / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Staining and Labeling
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Interferon-gamma