The influence of phagocytic stimuli on the expression of HLA‐DR antigens; role of reactive oxygen intermediates

Abstract

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells show after one day of culture with opsonized zymosan a decreased expression of HLA-DR (but not HLA-A, B, C) antigens, which can be prevented by the scavenger of reactive oxygen intermediates beta-carotene, or superoxide dismutase or indomethacin. Mononuclear cells of a patient with a heterozygous form of chronic granulomatous disease show no alterations in HLA-DR antigen expression after culture with opsonized zymosan. Possible roles of reactive oxygen intermediates or prostaglandins in the modulation of HLA-DR antigens are discussed.