NK T cell-induced protection against diabetes in V alpha 14-J alpha 281 transgenic nonobese diabetic mice is associated with a Th2 shift circumscribed regionally to the islets and functionally to islet autoantigen.
The onset of autoimmune diabetes is related to defective immune regulation. Recent studies have shown that NK T cells are deficient in number and function in both diabetic patients and nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. NK T cells, which are CD1d restricted, express a TCR with an invariant V alpha 14-J alpha 281 chain and rapidly produce large amounts of cytokines. V alpha 14-J alpha 281 transgenic NOD mice have increased numbers of NK T cells and are protected against diabetes onset. In this study we analyzed where and how NK T cells interfere with the development of the anti-islet autoimmune response. NK T cells, which are usually rare in lymph nodes, are abundant in pancreatic lymph nodes and are also present in islets. IL-4 mRNA levels are increased and IFN-gamma mRNA levels decreased in islets from diabetes-free V alpha 14-J alpha 281 transgenic NOD mice; the IgG1/IgG2c ratio of autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase is also increased in these mice. Treatment with IL-12 (a pro-Th1 cytokine) or anti-IL-4 Ab abolishes the diabetes protection in V alpha 14-J alpha 281 NOD mice. The protection from diabetes conferred by NK T cells is thus associated with a Th2 shift within islets directed against autoantigen such as glutamic acid decarboxylase. Our findings also demonstrate the key role of IL-4.
Laloux
V
V
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 25, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France.
Beaudoin
L
L
Jeske
D
D
Carnaud
C
C
Lehuen
A
A
D000818:Animals; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000502:physiology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D020297:Mice, Congenic; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001324:Autoantigens; D016207:Cytokines; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007527:Isoenzymes; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; C401141:glutamate decarboxylase 2