Regulation of immunological disorders by invariant Vα19-Jα33 TCR-bearing cells.

We have previously shown that over-expression of the invariant Vα19-Jα33 TCR α transgene (Tg) using a natural TCR α promoter in mice induces the development of NK1.1(+) T cells (Vα19 NKT cells) in lymphoid organs, including the liver and intestine. These cells produce different spectra of immunoregulatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, and IFN-γ depending on the duration and intensity of the invariant TCR stimulation. In this study, we examined the effects of over-expression of invariant Vα19-Jα33 TCR-bearing cells on disease progress in the models of immunological disorders. The introduction of invariant Vα19 TCR Tg into non-obese diabetic mice delayed the onset of the disease. In addition, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to sheep erythrocytes was suppressed in the Vα19 Tg mice. DTH was also suppressed in the wild type mice previously transferred with Vα19 Tg(+) but not non-Tg cells. Thus, invariant Vα19 TCR-bearing cells are suggested to participate in the homeostasis of immunity to suppress disease progression resulting from Th1-immunity excess.

Altered production of immunoregulatory cytokines by invariant Valpha19 TCR-bearing cells dependent on the duration and intensity of TCR engagement.

Cells bearing invariant Valpha19-Jalpha33 TCR alpha chains are believed to participate in the regulation of inflammatory autoimmune diseases. In this study, the potential to produce immunoregulatory cytokines by these cells was characterized in order to find the mechanism underlying their immunoregulatory functions. Serum levels of IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta, IFN-gamma and IL-17 increased in mice over-expressing an invariant Valpha19-Jalpha33 TCR alpha transgene (Valpha19 Tg) in response to anti-CD3 antibody injection. NK1.1(+) Valpha19 Tg(+), but not NK1.1(-) Valpha19 Tg(+) cells, promptly produced immunoregulatory IL-4, IFN-gamma and IL-17 upon invariant TCR engagement with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody in culture. The activation of Valpha19 Tg(+) cells then triggered the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by bystander cells. Interestingly, the ratio of T(h)2 cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10, but not pro-inflammatory IL-17, to IFN-gamma was increased when the intensity of the stimulation to invariant TCR was attenuated. Collectively, these findings suggest that invariant Valpha19 TCR(+) cells have the potential to participate in the regulation of inflammatory autoimmunity by producing T(h)2-biased cytokines in certain circumstances.

Generation of Valpha14 NKT cells in vitro from hematopoietic precursors residing in bone marrow and peripheral blood.

We previously reported the generation of Valpha14 invariant TCR+ (Valpha14i) NK1.1+ natural killer T (NKT) cells in the cytokine-activated suspension culture of murine fetal liver cells. In this study, we attempted to apply this finding to the induction of Valpha14i NKT cell differentiation in the culture of hematopoietic precursors residing in bone marrow or peripheral blood. Preferential generation of NKT cells was found in the culture of Thy-1(+)-depleted bone marrow cells in the presence of culture supernatant from Con A-stimulated spleen T cells and a combination of recombinant IL-3, IL-4, IL-7 and GM-CSF. NKT cell development from peripheral blood hematopoietic precursors was induced when they were cultured on stromal cell monolayers prepared from Thy-1(+)-depleted bone marrow or fetal liver cells, suggesting that certain environments derived from hematopoietic organs are required for the induction of NKT cells from precursors in vitro. A significant fraction of NKT cells generated in the culture were positive for staining with CD1-alpha-galactosylceramide tetramer, indicating that Valpha14i NKT cells were the major subset among the NKT cells. The present methods for obtaining NKT cells in the culture of bone marrow or peripheral blood cells are applicable to the treatment of patients suffering from diseases with numerical and functional disorders of NKT cells.

Antibody production in early life supported by maternal lymphocyte factors.

To examine the influence of maternal lymphocyte factors on the immune responses in offspring in early life, antibody production in neonates born to either normal or lymphocyte-deficient mothers was analyzed. Recombination activating gene (Rag)-2(+/-) mouse neonates born to Rag-2(+/+), Rag-2(+/-)or Rag-2(-/-)mothers were injected with goat anti-mouse IgD antiserum, and IgE and IgG(1) production was evaluated. The levels of IgE and IgG(1) were higher in the pups born to Rag-2(+/+)and Rag-2(+/-) dams than to lymphocyte-deficient Rag-2(-/-) dams. The enhanced antibody production in the former compared with the latter neonates was also found following immunization with ovalbumin or TNP-Ficoll. Thus, the presence of maternal lymphocyte factors was suggested in neonates that augmented antigen-specific antibody production in both T cell-dependent and -independent pathways. A reduction in antibody production was observed in normal neonates when they were foster-nursed by Rag-2(-/-) mothers. Thus, the maternal lymphocyte factors enhancing the immune responses in newborns were shown to be present in breast-milk.