Fc Receptors on Human T Lymphocytes: Loss of Fcmu and Expression of Fcgamma Receptors by T Cells Stimulated in Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction

Abstract

The consequences of allogeneic stimulation on the expression of Feμ or Feγ receptors were analysed in T-cell populations responding in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Unfractionated T-cell populations were cultured with a pool of irradiated allogeneic T-depleted cells. The responder E -rosetting cells progressively lost Feμ and acquired Fcγ receptors. The change of the original Fc receptor phenotype is not the consequence of a preferential proliferative response of T_G versus T_M cells but is likely due to a de novo expression of Feγ receptors by T cells lacking detectable Fc receptors (T-null) and also to the loss of Fcμ and expression of Feγ receptors by T_M cells. These data suggest that, after MLR, responder T cells can modify their Fc receptor phenotype.