Decreased expression of MHC class II and cathepsin E in dendritic cells might contribute to impaired induction of antigen-specific T cell response in NC/Nga mice

• Published in: The Journal of Medical Investigation Vol. 59; no. 1,2; pp. 95 - 101
• Main Authors: Sakai, Tohru, Shuto, Emi, Taki, Tomoyo, Imamura, Honami, Kioka, Miku, Nakamoto, Akiko, Mizoguchi, Seiji, Amano, Shouko, Kawano, Yukari, Nakamoto, Mariko, Tsutumi, Rie, Hosaka, Toshio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The University of Tokushima Faculty of Medicine 2012
• Subjects: Animals; cathepsin E; Cathepsin E - genetics; Cathepsin E - immunology; dendritic cells; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Dermatitis, Atopic - genetics; Dermatitis, Atopic - immunology; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - genetics; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - immunology; MHC class II; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred DBA; NC/Nga mice; Ovalbumin - immunology; Ovalbumin - pharmacology; Species Specificity; T-Lymphocytes - immunology
• ISSN: 1343-1420; 1349-6867
• DOI: 10.2152/jmi.59.95

NC/Nga (NC) mice are an animal model for human atopic dermatitis. We found that induction of antigen (Ag)-specific T cell response is diminished in ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized NC mice. Ability of Ag presentation in NC mouse dendritic cells (DCs) was significantly weaker than that in BALB/c and DBA/2 mouse DCs. Expression levels of MHC class II molecules and cathepsin E in NC mouse DCs were significantly lower that those in BALB/c and DBA/2 mouse DCs. These results indicate that low expression levels of MHC class II and cathepsin E might contribute to the defect in induction of Ag-specific T cells in NC mice. J. Med. Invest. 59: 95-101, February, 2012