Lack of interleukin 10 regulation of antigen presentation-associated molecules expressed on colonic epithelial cells

Background Colonic epithelial cells may behave as antigen-presenting cells. Interleukin 10 e-lo, is known to play a major role in the intestinal immun e system; however, it remains to be determined whether human intestinal epi thelial cells express IL-10 receptor, and whether this cytokine modulates t heir expression of antigen presentation-associated molecules Methods The binding of biotinylated IL-10 was studied in SW 1116, HT-29 and T84 human colonic epithelial cell lines and freshly isolated normal coloni c epithelial cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was als o performed to detect IL-IO receptor mRNA. The effect of IL-10 on antigen p resentation associated molecules was assessed by flow cytometry. Results Biotinylated IL-10 bound to SW 1116, HT-29, T84, and normal colonic epithelial cells. IL-10 receptor mRNA was detected in SW 1116 and normal e pithelial cells. SW 1116 and HT-29 cells expressed MHC class I and ICAM-1, but not CD80, and SW 1116 constitutively expressed HLA-DR Interferon-gamma up-regulated HLA-DR and ICAM-1 expression on both cells, whereas lipopolysa ccharide increased ICAM-1 expression only on SW 1116. IL-10 failed to modul ate these antigens, even after stimulation by lipopolysaccharide or interfe ron-gamma. Moreover, these molecules decreased IL-10 binding in both lines. Conclusion The presence of ILIO receptor on intestinal epithelial cells sug gest that IL-10 may play a role in mucosal physiology however its effect on the immune response remains to be determined.