A defect in interleukin 12-induced activation and interferon gamma secretion of peripheral natural killer T cells in nonobese diabetic mice suggests new pathogenic mechanisms for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
The function of natural killer T (NKT) cells in the immune system has yet to be determined. There is some evidence that their defect is associated with autoimmunity, but it is still unclear how they play a role in regulating the pathogenesis of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. It was originally proposed that NKT cells could control autoimmunity by shifting the cytokine profile of autoimmune T cells toward a protective T helper 2 cell (Th2) type. However, it is now clear that the major function of NKT cells in the immune system is not related to their interleukin (IL)-4 secretion. In fact, NKT cells mainly secrete interferon (IFN)-gamma and, activated in the presence of IL-12, acquire a strong inflammatory phenotype and cytotoxic function.
Falcone
M
M
Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Yeung
B
B
Tucker
L
L
Rodriguez
E
E
Sarvetnick
N
N
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D016513:Mice, SCID; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma