Interleukin-4-producing CD4+ NK1.1+ TCR alpha/beta intermediate liver lymphocytes are down-regulated by Listeria monocytogenes.
Experimental infection of mice with the intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, provides a paragon model for immune defence dominated by T helper type 1 (Th1) responses. Potent production of interleukin (IL)-12 by infected macrophages is considered the determining factor in Th1 cell development. In contrast, it is assumed that IL-4 producers remain virtually unstimulated in listeriosis. In the liver, the major target organ of listeriosis, an unusual T lymphocyte population exists with the intriguing phenotype CD4+ NK1.1+ TCR alpha/beta intermediate (TCR alpha/beta int). Here we show that IL-4-producing CD4+ NK1.1+ TCR alpha/beta int liver lymphocytes are down-regulated early in listeriosis. We assume that curtailment of IL-4-producing CD4+ NK1.1+ TCR alpha/beta int liver lymphocytes promotes unconstrained development of Th1 cells which are central to protection against intracellular bacteria.
Emoto
M
M
Department of Immunology, University of Ulm, Germany.
Emoto
Y
Y
Kaufmann
S H
SH
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D011506:Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016207:Cytokines; C527211:Klrb1c protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D011506:Proteins; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D015847:Interleukin-4