Expression of antigen processing and presenting molecules by Schwann cells in inflammatory neuropathies

Abstract

Schwann cells are the myelinating glia cells of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and can become targets of an autoimmune response in inflammatory neuropathies like the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) are known to promote autoimmune responses in target tissues by presenting self-antigens. Other cell types could participate in local autoimmune responses by acting as nonprofessional APCs. Using a combined approach of immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry analysis we demonstrate that human Schwann cells express the antigen processing and presenting machinery (APM) in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, cultured human Schwann cells increase the expression of proteasome subunit delta (Y), antigen peptide transporter TAP2, and HLA Class I and HLA Class II complexes in an inflammatory environment. In correlation with this observation, Schwann cells in sural nerve biopsies from GBS patients show increased expression of antigen processing and presenting molecules. Furthermore, cultured human Schwann cells can proteolytically digest fluorescently-labeled nonmammalian antigen ovalbumin. Taken together, our data suggest antigen processing and presentation as a possible function of Schwann cells that may contribute to (auto)immune responses within peripheral nerves.

Changes in the transcriptional fingerprint of satellite glial cells following peripheral nerve injury

“…This did not seem to be accompanied by an increase in DRG T‐cell number (Figure S6), indicating that any potential interactions are likely to affect the phenotype and activation state of T‐cells, rather than their abundance. This is in line with data from a related cell type: Horste et al have shown that Schwann cells in vitro express functional MHC I and II molecules which can activate T‐cells and hereby modulate the immune system (Meyer Zu Horste, Heidenreich, Lehmann, et al, ; Meyer Zu Horste, Heidenreich, Mausberg, et al, ). Our data indicate that SGCs might be able to modulate the immune system in a similar manner.…”

Interleukin-17 impedes Schwann cell-mediated myelination

“…[17]), and SCs most likely act as non-professional antigen-presenting cells under certain conditions. The IL-17-induced increased expression can be interpreted as an immunological alignment of SCs.…”

Quinpramine Ameliorates Rat Experimental Autoimmune Neuritis and Redistributes MHC Class II Molecules

“…Paraffin sections (10 µm) were stained with haematoxylin/eosin and an anti-CD68 (ED1, Serotec) or anti-MHC-II antibody (MCA2687R, Serotec) using DAB based staining as previously described [19]. The entire nerve cross section was photographed using a conventional microscope (Axioplan 2, Carl Zeiss) and the digital photographs were photomerged using Adobe Photoshop CS3 software (Adobe Systems).…”