title: Graft-versus-host disease in recipients of grafts from natural killer T cell-deficient (Jalpha281(-/-)) donors.
abstract: Valpha14i natural killer T cells (NKT cells) are a CD1-restricted subset of NKT cells that express an invariable Valpha14+ Jalpha281+ alphabeta T-cell receptor. To determine whether the absence of Valpha14i NKT cells from the graft affects the development of acute GVHD, we induced GVH reactions using Jalpha281(-/-) mice as donors in the C57BL/6-->(C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F1-hybrid strain combination. Recipients of grafts from Jalpha281(-/-) donors were not protected from either the morbidity or the severe wasting syndrome associated with the development of acute GVHD, but the concentrations of some T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines were different from those seen in recipients of grafts from wild-type donors. Interferon-gamma was seen earlier (day 4) in recipients of grafts from Jalpha281(-/-) donors but did not reach the concentrations seen in recipients of grafts from wild-type donors on day 8 (P < 0.02). On day 8, the amount of tumour necrosis factor-alpha released into the serum following the injection of a small amount of lipopolysaccharide was lower in recipients of grafts from Jalpha281(-/-) donors (P < 0.02). The amount of interleukin (IL)-5 was also lower in recipients of grafts from Jalpha281(-/-) donors, when compared to the concentration seen in recipients of grafts from wild-type donors (P < 0.002). IL-13 was seen in recipients of grafts from Jalpha281(-/-) donors but not in recipients of grafts from wild-type donors. Our findings show that the absence of donor Valpha14i NKT cells is associated with lower concentrations of some Th1 cytokines. We also observed higher IL-13 concentrations and lower IL-5 concentrations in recipients of grafts from Jalpha281(-/-) donors indicating a variable effect on Th2 cytokine production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. ellisonc@ms.umanitoba.ca
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ellison
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: Jacqie M M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Kent T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Hayglass
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Gartner
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000276:immunology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha