Modulation of antigenic phenotype in cultured human osteoblast-like cells by FGFb, TGFβ1, PDGF-BB, IL-2, IL-1β, LPS and IFNγ

Background/Aims Recent reports demonstrated that osteoblast-like cells can also exert activities directly associated with the immune system (cytokine synthesis, antigen presentation, phagocytosis and stimulation of T lymphocytes). The present study aimed to analyze the effect of Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1), Fibroblast growth factor basic (FGFb), Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) on the expression on osteoblast-like cells of antigens involved in antigen presentation. Methods Flow cytometry was used to investigate whether the growth factors FGFb, TGF beta 1, PDGF-BB, IL-2, IL-1 beta, LPS and IFN gamma modulate the expression on cultured human osteoblast-like cells of different antigens involved in antigen-presentation and T cell activation. Results TGF beta 1 treatment significantly reduced the expression of CD54 and CD86. IL1 beta treatment significantly enhanced the expression of CD54, CD86 and HLA-DR. LPS and IFN gamma treatments produced a major increase in CD54, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR expression. Expression of these antigen-presenting molecules was not significantly modified by FGFb, PDGF-BB or IL-2 treatment.