Class II MHC antigen expression by cultured human cerebral vascular endothelial cells.

Cerebral vascular endothelial cells (EC) isolated from human brain do not constitutively express class II MHC antigens. However, incubation in the presence of human interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) resulted in the expression of both HLA-DR and -DP antigens. FACS analysis revealed that approximately 40% of the EC population expressed HLA-DR antigen. Quantitation by ELISA demonstrated that maximum expression was observed with 100 U/ml IFN gamma for 4 days. Treatment with IFN gamma also increased class II mRNA levels in all EC cultures tested.