Large, but not small, antigens require time- and temperature-dependent processing in accessory cells before they can be recognized by T cells

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

We have studied if antigens of different size and structure all require processing in antigen-presenting cells of guinea-pigs before they can be recognized by T cells. The method of mild paraformaldehyde fixation was used to stop antigen-processing in the antigen-presenting cells. As a measure of antigen presentation we used the proliferative response of appropriately primed T cells during a co-culture with the paraformaldehyde-fixed and antigen-exposed presenting cells. We demonstrate that the large synthetic polypeptide antigen, dinitrophenyl-poly-L-lysine, requires processing. After an initial time-lag of 30 min this antigen is fully processed within 2 to 4 of culture at 37 degrees C. In contrast, the immunogenic heptapeptide, angiotensin III, can be presented by pre-fixed accessory cells, viz. without any prior processing. Antigen processing was found to be temperature-dependent and consequently energy-requiring. Processing is strongly inhibited by the lysosomotrophic drug, chloroquine, suggesting a lysosomal involvement in antigen processing. The existence of a minor, non-lysosomal pathway is suggested, since small amounts of antigen were processed even at 10 degrees C, at which temperature no transport to and from the lysosomes can occur.
Original languageEnglish
Book seriesAPMIS : Acta pathologica, microbiologica et immunologica Scandinavica. Supplementum
Volume94
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)17-24
Number of pages7
ISSN0903-465X
Publication statusPublished - 1986

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Angiotensin III; Animals; Antigen-Presenting Cells; Antigens; Chloroquine; Dinitrobenzenes; Formaldehyde; Guinea Pigs; Interleukin-1; Molecular Weight; Ovalbumin; Polylysine; Polymers; T-Lymphocytes; Temperature; Time Factors; Tuberculin

ID: 9948200