TCR-mediated target cell lysis by CD4+NK1+ liver T lymphocytes.
In the liver, an unusual T lymphocyte population exists with the intriguing phenotype CD4+NK1+ TCR alpha beta int. Thus far, functions of these lymphocytes remained elusive. Recently, however, CD4+NK1+ liver T lymphocytes have been shown to produce cytokines. Here we show that sorted CD4+NK1+ liver lymphocytes from naive mice lyse target cells after TCR alpha beta or CD3, but not TCR gamma delta, engagement. Liver lymphocytes from beta 2-microglobulin-deficient gene disruption mutant mice failed to express such cytolytic activities and in vivo treatment with anti-NK1.1 mAb or anti-CD4 mAb, but not anti-CD8 mAb, markedly reduced target cell lysis. In vivo administration or rIL-12 impaired TCR alpha beta-mediated target cell lysis by liver lymphocytes. A similar down-regulation of cytolytic activities was observed with liver lymphocytes from mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes or Mycobacterium bovis BCG, which are potent IL-12 inducers. We anticipate (i) that cytolytic CD4+NK1+ T lymphocytes contribute to immunosurveillance of inflammatory processes in the liver and (ii) that they are influenced by IL-12.
Emoto
M
M
Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany.
Emoto
Y
Y
Kaufmann
S H
SH
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000502:physiology
D000941:Antigens; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015704:CD4 Antigens; 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; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D018664:Interleukin-12