Purpose To investigate whether corneal stroma cells (CSCs) inhibit DC maturation via secreting cytokines.
Methods The mRNA and protein level of transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) was analyzed by RT-PCR and ELISA. Immature DCs were induced to mature DCs in the presence of LPS, with concentrations of CSC culture supernatant (containing neutralizing TGF-β2 antibody or not). Then, the DC phenotypic and functional maturation were analyzed.
Results CSCs exhibited positive expression of TGF-beta 2 mRNA and secret high concentration of TGF-beta 2 protein. In the presence of LPS, DCs which were treated with CSC culture supernatant displayed reduced expression of CD80, CD86, and MHC II in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, treated DCs showed lower T cell stimulatory capacity and higher endocytosis function. However, these phenotypic and functional modifications were partially reversed by the application of neutralizing TGF-beta 2 antibody.
Conclusion This study demonstrates that CSCs can inhibit LPS-induced DC maturation partially through TGF-beta 2 secretion mechanism in vitro.