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Ocular immune privilege and CD1d-reactive natural killer T cells
Koh-Hei Sonoda1, Joan Stein-Streilein
1Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Cornea
|May 9, 2002
Summary
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are crucial for inducing regulatory T cells in the eye, a process known as anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID). These NKT cells, through IL-10 production, help maintain the eye's immune privilege.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Ocular immunology
Background:
- The eye possesses immune privilege, partly due to anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID), an antigen-specific systemic tolerance.
- Natural killer T (NKT) cells, innate immune cells, rapidly produce cytokines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of murine NKT cells in inducing regulatory T cells within the context of ACAID.
Main Methods:
- Examined regulatory T cell generation in NKT cell-deficient mice (SJL, CD1d KO, Jalpha281 KO, NKT-depleted).
- Used a local adoptive transfer assay involving splenic T cells from anterior chamber-inoculated mice and ovalbumin-primed T cells, measuring ear swelling.
Main Results:
- NKT cell-deficient mice failed to generate regulatory T cells after anterior chamber inoculation, unlike wild-type mice.
- Reconstitution with NKT cells restored regulatory T cell generation.
- Increased splenic NKT cells producing IL-10 were observed in inoculated wild-type mice.
Conclusions:
- CD1d-reactive NKT cells are essential for inducing regulatory T cells in ACAID.
- NKT cell-derived IL-10 plays a key role in this process.
- NKT cells are involved in maintaining the immune privilege of the eye.
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