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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
18:48
In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
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Regulatory B Cell-Dependent Islet Transplant Tolerance Is Also Natural Killer Cell Dependent
Summary
Regulatory B cells (Bregs) induce transplant tolerance, but this process requires natural killer (NK) cells, not NKT cells. NK cell activity is crucial for Bregs to establish long-term graft acceptance.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transplantation Biology
- Cellular Immunology
Background:
- Immunologic tolerance to grafts can be induced using antibodies targeting CD45RB and Tim-1.
- This tolerance is known to be mediated by regulatory B cells (Bregs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of natural killer (NK) and NKT cells in B cell-mediated transplant tolerance.
- To elucidate the precise mechanism of Bregs' regulatory function in transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized rodent models (B6, μMT, Beige, CD1d-/- mice) receiving islet allografts.
- Administered a dual-antibody regimen (anti-CD45RB and anti-TIM1) to induce tolerance.
- Assessed tolerance induction in mice with NK and NKT cell deficiencies or depletions.
Main Results:
- Tolerance induction failed in NK-cell-depleted or deficient mice (Beige mice treated with anti-NK1.1).
- Tolerance was successfully induced in NKT-cell-deficient mice (CD1d-/-), confirming NK cell dependence.
- Restoring NK cells in Beige mice re-established tolerance induction.
- Tolerance transfer via B cells required the presence of host NK1.1+ cells.
Conclusions:
- NK cells, not NKT cells, are essential for B cell-mediated transplant tolerance.
- The regulatory function of Bregs in this tolerance model is critically dependent on NK cells.
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