Intrathyroidal mast cells express major histocompatibility complex class-II antigens.

International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
K BanovacA Rabinovitch

Abstract

We studied the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II antigen in mast cells of rat thyroid glands. In the normal rat thyroid, mast cells express MHC class-II antigen. In BioBreeding Wistar (BB/W) rats, the strain of animals prone to develop spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis, the number of MHC class-II-positive mast cells was significantly higher than in normal rats (p less than 0.01). Furthermore, intrathyroidal mast cells in BB/W rats showed an increased MHC class-II expression before the appearance of circulating thyroid antibodies or the infiltration of tissue with mononuclear cells. These data suggest that mast cells in the rat thyroid gland may have a function as antigen-presenting cells.

Citations

Jan 24, 1998·Journal of Dermatological Science·J GrabbeB M Henz
Jun 5, 2007·Immunobiology·Erietta StelekatiSilvia Bulfone-Paus
Sep 18, 2015·International Journal of Endocrinology·Carla ViscianoGianni Marone
Aug 27, 2014·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Celalettin UstunPeter Valent
Nov 4, 2006·The Journal of Immunology : Official Journal of the American Association of Immunologists·Rhonda GeoffreyMartin J Hessner

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