Intercellular exchanges of membrane fragments (trogocytosis) between human muscle cells and immune cells: a potential mechanism for the modulation of muscular immune responses

J Neuroimmunol. 2009 Apr 30;209(1-2):131-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.02.005. Epub 2009 Mar 9.

Abstract

Trogocytosis is a cell-contact dependent intercellular transfer of membrane fragments and associated molecules. We studied trogocytosis in the interaction of T cells with human skeletal muscle cells modeling muscle-immune cell interactions under pathophysiological conditions i.e. myositis. Human myoblasts donate membrane fragments to T cells. Acquisition of muscle-derived membrane molecules depended on T-cell activation, was independent of T-cell receptor engagement, sensitive to inhibition of actin polymerization and amplified by protein kinase C activation. Single-cell patch clamping was used to demonstrate the change in membrane capacitance upon incorporation of membrane fragments in T cells. Membrane uptake was fast and temporarily, but had clear functional consequences: T cells after intimate contact with myoblasts stimulated the proliferation of autologous T cells. Our observations raise the hypothesis that trogocytosis may modulate the outcome of T-T interactions within the micromilieu of skeletal muscle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmunity / physiology
  • Cell Communication / immunology*
  • Cell Membrane / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Membrane Potentials / immunology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / immunology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Myoblasts / cytology
  • Myoblasts / immunology
  • Myositis / immunology*
  • Myositis / physiopathology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Subcellular Fractions / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell