An alternative pathway of nitric oxide production by rat astrocytes requires specific antigen and T cell contact.
In the present study, we observed an alternative pathway in which nitric oxide (NO) production by rat astrocytes requires specific antigen and cell-cell contact. NO production by astrocytes was significantly inhibited by antibodies against CD40L, B7-1 or B7-2. Astrocyte-derived NO inhibited T cell proliferation and induced T cell apoptosis. In contrast, augmented astrocyte proliferation was correlated to the levels of NO production by astrocytes, implicating a role of NO in regulating local immune responses in the central nervous system. These results suggest that T cell-astrocyte interactions may regulate local immune responses via the NO pathway and influence the fate of infiltrating T cells.
Xiao
B G
BG
Units of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, Division of Neurology, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, S-141 86 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
Xu
L Y
LY
Yang
J S
JS
Huang
Y M
YM
Link
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H
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D000939:Epitopes; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000939:Epitopes; D009569:Nitric Oxide