NK cell-deficient mice develop a Th1-like response but fail to mount an efficient antigen-specific IgG2a antibody response.
NK cells have been shown to play a role in the modulation of B cell differentiation and Ab production. Using a novel murine model of NK cell deficiency, we analyzed the in vivo role of NK cells in the regulation of Ag-specific Ab production. After immunization with OVA or keyhole limpet hemocyanin in CFA, NK cell-deficient (NK-T+) mice developed an efficient Th1 response and produced significant levels of IFN-gamma but displayed markedly reduced or absent Ag-specific IgG2a production. There were no differences in the levels of Ag-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b between NK-T+ and NK+T+ mice. Furthermore, NK cell-reconstituted, NK+T+ (tgepsilon26Y) mice produced significant amounts of Ag-specific IgG2a after immunization with OVA. These results indicate that NK cells are involved in the induction of Ag-specific IgG2a production in vivo. Moreover, they also demonstrate that the lack of Ag-specific IgG2a Ab production in NK-T+ mice is not associated with the impaired Th1 response and IFN-gamma production.
Satoskar
A R
AR
Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. asatoska@hsph.harvard.edu
Stamm
L M
LM
Zhang
X
X
Okano
M
M
David
J R
JR
Terhorst
C
C
Wang
B
B
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant / Q000276:immunology; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008974:Mollusca; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D010047:Ovalbumin; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin