Antigen-Presenting Function of Murine Gonadal Epithelial Cell Lines

Murine Leydig (TM3) and Sertoli (TM4) cell lines were studied as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells using the antigen model of human choriogonadotropin (hCGα/β) and specific T-cell hybridomas. Both cell lines were treated with IFN-γ to induce I-Adand I-Edmolecules expression. Only the TM3 cell line, which expressed MHC-class II molecules upon IFN-γ stimulation, was able to uptake, process, and present the human choriogonadotropin β subunit to related T-cell hybridomas. Interestingly, the TM3 cell line was incapable of presenting the human choriogonadotropin α subunit, the presentation of which, by classical APC, is highly efficient. Using T-cell hybridomas directed against the immunogenic regions of hCGα/β previously described in BALB/c mice, we showed that the TM3 cell line generated a narrower peptide repertoire than classical APC (i.e., B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells). This experimental system suggests that Leydig cells could initiate,in vivo,an autoimmune process directed against gonadal tissues. In particular, such a mechanism has been evoked in experimental autoimmune orchitis.