Journal of Dental Research, Vol 65, 1424-1426, Copyright © 1986 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Interleukin-1 modulates T6 expression on a putative intra-epithelial Langerhans cell precursor population
L. J. Walsh, G. J. Seymour and R. N. Powell
T6 is an antigen which is a highly specific marker for Langerhans cells.
Previous studies have demonstrated that Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and an IL-1
inhibitor (ILS) modulate T6 expression (T6E) in explant culture. The
present study examined the effects of IL-1 and ILS on T6E in dispersed
gingival epithelial cell (EC) cultures. EC were obtained by trypsinization
of gingival fragments obtained during periodontal surgery. T6E by EC was
demonstrated using OKT6 monoclonal antibody in an immuno-peroxidase
technique. In both unseparated and T6-depleted EC, IL-1 (0.5 U/mL)
stimulated T6E, and this effect was abrogated by ILS (1:30). ILS alone
depressed T6E in unseparated EC cultures. All effects were consistent
between four- and 24-hour culture periods, and no treatment affected EC
viability, thus excluding cell proliferation or necrosis as a vector for
the action of IL-1 and ILS. These results indicate that a population of
epithelial cells exists which is induced to express T6 under the influence
of IL-1. IL-1 and ILS act in combination to regulate T6E on these precursor
cells and on DR(-) Langerhans cells in gingival epithelium.
