Polarized distribution of ? interferon-stimulated MHC antigens and transferrin receptors in a clonal cell line isolated from Fisher rat thyroid (FRT cells)

Abstract

The characteristics of a polarized epithelial cell line and dynamics of an endogenous polarized plasma membrane constituent were studied by use of an subclone, FRT-9, from the Fisher rat thyroid cell line, FRT. Transmission electron microscopy (conventional, freeze-fracture), determination of transepithelial electrical parameters and immuno-fluorescence study, were used to establish polarity and demonstrated the basolateral distribution of transferrin receptors and the major histocompatibility complex antigens (constitutive Class I or gamma interferon-induced Class II).

Intracellular traffic to compartments for MHC class II peptide loading: signals for endosomal and polarized sorting

“…The piasma membrane of poiarized epithehal ceiis is divided by dght junctions into an apical domain, which is often covered by abundant microvilli and face the lumen of body cavides, and a basolaterai domain, facing adjacent ceiis, and die underiying basement membrane (for reviews, see (91,92)). MHC ciass II moiecuies have been found on the basoiateral surface and in intraceliular vesicies in tissue epithehai ceils of humans and rodents (93)(94)(95)(96)(97)(98)(99)(100)(101). The basolaterai membrane faces the vascuiar space, where the ciass II moiecuies may present andgen to emigradng T ceiis.…”