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Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
Published on: April 16, 2015
NK cells inhibit T-bet-deficient, autoreactive Th17 cells
1Department of Neurology and Tianjin Neurologic Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Natural killer (NK) cells regulate T helper 17 (Th17) cell responses. In T-bet-deficient mice lacking NK cells, autoreactive Th17 cells increase, but wild-type NK cells restore normal Th17 regulation via IFN-γ.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation requires specific cytokines and transcription factors.
- T-bet, a transcription factor for Th1 cells, antagonizes Th17 development.
- T-bet-deficient mice lack natural killer (NK) cells, impacting T helper cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the absence of NK cells in T-bet-deficient mice exacerbates autoreactive Th17 cell responses.
- To elucidate the role of NK cells in regulating Th17 cell differentiation and autoimmunity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized T-bet-deficient (T-bet(-/-)) mice lacking NK cells.
- Reconstituted T-bet(-/-) mice with wild-type NK cells.
- Analyzed the expression of transcription factors Rorc and STAT3.
- Measured IFN-γ production by NK cells.
Main Results:
- The absence of T-bet increased responsiveness of Rorc and STAT3 to NK cell-derived stimuli.
- Reintroducing wild-type NK cells into T-bet(-/-) mice suppressed autoreactive Th17 cell development.
- NK cell-derived IFN-γ was identified as the inhibitory factor.
Conclusions:
- NK cells are crucial regulators of autoreactive Th17 cell development.
- NK cell function, particularly IFN-γ production, is vital for preventing Th17-mediated pathology.
- Targeting NK cell activity could offer therapeutic strategies for Th17-driven autoimmune diseases.
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