NKG2D Enhances Double-Negative T Cell Regulation of B Cells.

Numerous studies reported a small subpopulation of TCRαß+CD4-CD8- (double-negative) T cells that exert regulatory functions in the peripheral lymphocyte population. However, the origin of these double-negative T (DNT) cells is controversial. Some researchers reported that DNT cells originated from the thymus, and others argued that these cells are derived from peripheral immune induction. We report a possible mechanism for the induction of nonregulatory CD4+ T cells to become regulatory double-negative T (iDNT) cells in vitro. We found that immature bone marrow dendritic cells (CD86+MHC-II- DCs), rather than mature DCs (CD86+MHC-II+), induced high levels of iDNT cells. The addition of an anti-MHC-II antibody to the CD86+MHC-II+ DC group significantly increased induction. These iDNT cells promoted B cell apoptosis and inhibited B cell proliferation and plasma cell formation. A subgroup of iDNT cells expressed NKG2D. Compared to NKG2D- iDNT cells, NKG2D+ iDNT cells released more granzyme B to enhance B cell regulation. This enhancement may function via NKG2D ligands expressed on B cells following lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These results demonstrate that MHC-II impedes induction, and iDNT cells may be MHC independent. NKG2D expression on iDNT cells enhanced the regulatory function of these cells. Our findings elucidate one possible mechanism of the induction of peripheral immune tolerance and provide a potential treatment for chronic allograft rejection in the future.

Evaluating controlling factors to Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio in acidic soil water, southern and southwestern China: multivariate approach.

Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio in soil water has been used as an indicator to the effects of acid deposition on terrestrial ecosystems. However, the main factors controlling this ratio have not been well documented in southern and southwestern China. In this study, we presented the variation in inorganic aluminum (Al(i)) and Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio in different sites and soil horizons based on two to three years monitoring data, and evaluated the main factors controlling Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio using principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least square (PLS) regression. Monitoring data showed although Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratios in most soil water were lower than assumed critical 1.0, higher molar ratios were found in some soil water at TSP and LXH site. Besides acid loading, both soil properties and soil water chemistry affected the value of Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio in soil water. Partial least square (PLS) indicated that they had different relative importance in different soil horizons. In A-horizon, soil aluminum saturation (AlS) had higher influence on Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio than soil water chemistry did; higher soil aluminum saturation (AlS) led to higher Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio in soil water. In the deeper horizons (i.e., B(1)-, B(2)- and BC-horizon), inorganic aluminum (Al(i)) in soil water had more and more important role in regulating Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio. On regional scale, soil aluminum saturation (AlS) as well as cation exchange capacity (CEC) was the dominant factor controlling Al(i)/(Ca + Mg) molar ratio. This should be paid enough attention on when making regional acid rain control policy in China.