TUBULAR EPITHELIAL-CELLS AS ACCESSORY CELLS FOR SUPERANTIGEN-INDUCED T-CELL ACTIVATION

In various inflammatory kidney diseases, tubular epithelial cells (TEC ) express major histocompatibility complex class II antigens. To asses s whether they might have the capacity to directly activate T cells, h uman TEC in culture were treated with gamma interferon to induce class IE expression. TEC were then cocultivated with staphylococcus enterot oxin and cloned T cells or highly purified peripheral T cells. After 1 -2 days, release of interleukin 2 and of gamma interferon was seen; af ter 3-5 days T cell proliferation occurred. The proliferation could be inhibited by antibodies to class II antigens or by antibodies to ICAM -1; the latter is also expressed on TEC in inflammatory processes and on TEC in culture as well. In conclusion, human TEC might function as accessory cells for T cell activation and might support T cell depende nt immune response.