The Role Of Podocyte In Antigen Presentation

Objective:To analyze the proliferation of lymphocytes co-culture with antigen-loaded podocytes, thus to explore the role of podocytes in antigen presentation in vitro.Methods and Materials:Primary mouse podocytes and dendritic cells were cultured in vitro, and lymphocytes were isolate from spleen and cultrue in vitro. Podocytes were identified by detecting the expression of nephrin by indirect immunofluoresent method. The function of podocytes was studied by confocal microsopy. The percentage of positive cells which contained nephrin, MHC Ⅰ、MHC Ⅱ molecule and the lymphocytes proliferation were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results:Primary mouse podocytes and dendritic cells were cultured successfully in vitro, lymphocytes were isolated from spleen and cultrued successfully. Podocytes can internalize ovalbumin, expressions of MHC Ⅰ molecule and MHC Ⅱ molecule were up-regulated in time dependent manners in OVA treated podocytes and lymphocytes can be stimulated by co-cultured antigen-loaded podocytes.Conclusions:Podocytes have the function of internalization, they can present the antigen to lymphocytes to stimulate lymphocytes proliferation, therefore podocytes probably can play active roles in glomerular injury through antigen presentation.