Modulation of CD4 antigen expression on human gingival Langerhans cells by gamma interferon
Walsh, L.J.; Parry, A.; Scholes, A.; Seymour, G.J.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 70(2): 379-385
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 3123106 Document Number: 295713
Human gingival organ culture was used to test the hypothesis that gamma interferon (.gamma.-IFN), which induces HLA-DR and HLA-DQ antigens on Langerhans cells, modulates CD4 antigen expression on these same cells. Before culture, the density of CD4+ cells in the gingival epithelium was 12.7% .+-. 3.8% of the density of CD1+ cells. .gamma.-IFN(200 IU/ml) enhanced CD4 expression such that at 24 h, all CD1+ cells also expressed CD4. Prostaglandin E2, which in isolation had no effect, partially abrogated the stimulatory effect of .gamma.-IFN on CD4 expression. These results imply that .gamma.-IFN and prostaglandin E2 are two signals which regulate CD4 expression on gingival Langerhans cells.