Activation of CD1d-independent NK1.1+ T cells in the large intestine by Lactobacilli.
Among digestive organs, the liver and the large intestine are abundant in T cells expressing NK1.1. NK1.1+ T cells in the liver are mostly CD1d-dependent whereas those in the large intestine are CD1d-independent. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lactobacilli on NK1.1+ T cells in the digestive organs of mice. C57BL/6 mice were orally given a dietary supplement prepared from mixed cultures of eight strains of Lactobacilli. Oral administration of Lactobacilli to mice resulted in the selective expansion of NK1.1+ T cells in the large intestine. These colon NK1.1+ T cells activated by Lactobacilli were found to express IFN-gamma mRNA. The level of IFN-gamma in the serum was also elevated by the administration of Lactobacilli. Our results suggest that Lactobacilli selectively activate CD1d-independent NK1.1+ T cells in the large intestine to produce IFN-gamma and therefore modulate Th1 immune responses.
Takahashi
Satoshi
S
Department of Immunology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Asahimachi-dori 1-757, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
Kawamura
Toshihiko
T
Kanda
Yasuhiro
Y
Taniguchi
Tomoyo
T
Nishizawa
Tetsuro
T
Iiai
Tsuneo
T
Hatakeyama
Katsuyoshi
K
Abo
Toru
T
D000818:Animals; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000276:immunology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016207:Cytokines; C527211:Klrb1c protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D055651:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B; D012333:RNA, Messenger