Expression of E-cadherin by CD8⁺ T cells promotes their invasion into biliary epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: The presence of CD8⁺ T cells in the cytoplasm of biliary epithelial cells (BEC) has been correlated with biliary damage associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Here, we characterise the mechanism of CD8⁺ T cell invasion into BEC. CD8⁺ T cells observed within BEC were large, eccentric, and expressed E-cadherin, CD103 and CD69. They were also not contained within secondary vesicles. Internalisation required cytoskeletal rearrangements which facilitated contact with BEC. Internalised CD8⁺ T cells were observed in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic diseased liver tissues but enriched in PBC patients, both during active disease and at the time of transplantation. E-cadherin expression by CD8⁺ T cells correlated with frequency of in

SUBMITTER: Davies SP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10825166 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature