Immortalized intrahepatic mouse biliary epithelial cells: immunologic characterization and immunogenicity

Hepatology. 1999 Aug;30(2):358-71. doi: 10.1002/hep.510300216.

Abstract

Nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis (NSDC), a process of T-cell-mediated destruction of biliary epithelia observed in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and hepatic allograft rejection (HAR), also occurs in the B10. D2-->BALB/c model of GVHD. To advance studies of immunopathogenesis in this murine model, we immortalized 4 BALB/c intrahepatic biliary epithelial cell (BEC) lines as a reliable source of target cells. Freshly isolated BEC, as well as each cell line, expressed cytokeratin-19 (CK-19), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). None expressed albumin. Immortalized cells also expressed SV40 large T antigen. Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was expressed by >97% of immortalized cells, while class II MHC and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression ranged from 0% to 13% and 14% to 74%, respectively. Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) induced aberrant class II MHC expression and increased expression of ICAM-1. Variable proportions of immortalized cells expressed B7-1/B7-2 molecules and FAS. IFN-gamma significantly reduced B7-1 expression in some lines and significantly increased B7-2 expression in others. Allografts of freshly isolated and immortalized BEC injected into subscapular fat pads spontaneously formed duct-like structures. Inflammation was absent in BALB/c recipients. In contrast, inflammatory lesions in B10.D2 recipients were reminiscent of NSDC. Our results indicate that BALB/c-immortalized intrahepatic biliary cells: 1) retain the phenotype of mouse BEC; 2) can be induced to express aberrant class II MHC and increased ICAM-1; 3) express costimulatory B7-1/B7-2 molecules and FAS; and 4) spontaneously form duct-like structures after in vivo injection that are immunogenic in B10.D2 mice. These cell lines should facilitate future studies of the immunopathogenesis of NSDC in the B10. D2-->BALB/c murine model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B7-1 Antigen / analysis
  • Bile Ducts / cytology
  • Bile Ducts / immunology*
  • Cell Transformation, Viral
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / analysis
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Simian virus 40 / immunology

Substances

  • B7-1 Antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Interferon-gamma