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Deficiency of 6B11+ invariant NK T-cells in celiac disease

Randall H Grose1, Fiona M Thompson, Adrian G Cummins

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Woodville South, SA 5011, Australia.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|December 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer T-cells (NK T-cells), crucial for immune regulation, are deficient in celiac disease. This study found significantly reduced NK T-cells and impaired cytokine production in celiac patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Immunoregulatory NK T-cells play a role in maintaining immune homeostasis.
  • Deficiencies in NK T-cells are observed in various autoimmune conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential deficiency of immunoregulatory NK T-cells in celiac disease.
  • To assess NK T-cell numbers and function in individuals with celiac disease.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to identify NK T-cells (CD3+, CD56+) using 6B11 and V alpha 24 markers in peripheral blood.
  • Intracellular cytokine production (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) was analyzed after anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation.
  • Real-time PCR quantified V alpha 24 mRNA expression in duodenal biopsies.

Main Results:

  • Celiac subjects exhibited a 70% reduction in NK T-cells compared to healthy controls.
  • Stimulation of NK T-cells in celiac patients did not lead to the significant increase in IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 observed in controls.
  • V alpha 24 mRNA levels in duodenal biopsies were markedly decreased in celiac subjects (5% of control levels).

Conclusions:

  • Immunoregulatory NK T-cells are significantly deficient in celiac disease.
  • The functional impairment of NK T-cells in celiac disease may contribute to the disease pathology.

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