CD4 engagement by CD1d potentiates activation of CD4+ invariant NKT cells.
The CD4 coreceptor is crucial in the activation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II restricted CD4 (+) T lymphocytes by binding the same MHC class as the T-cell receptor (TCR) and by potentiating TCR-dependent signaling. CD4 is also expressed by invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT), which recognize natural and synthetic lipid antigens, such as alpha-galactosyl ceramide (alpha-GalCer), in association with the MHC class I-like CD1d molecule. Human iNKT cells can be divided into 2 major subsets depending on CD4 expression: CD4 (+) iNKT preferentially produce T-helper (Th)0/Th2 cytokines, whereas CD4(-) iNKT cells produce Th1 cytokines after antigenic activation. Cytokines produced by iNKT may have immunomodulatory roles in various physiopathologic contexts, but their mode of regulation by iNKT cells remains ill-defined. Using blocking reagents neutralizing CD4 binding, experimental systems where MHC class II molecules are absent and recombinant alpha-GalCer/CD1d complexes, we show that CD4 potentiates human iNKT cell activation by engaging CD1d molecules. These results indicate that the CD4 coreceptors may contribute to the fine tuning of iNKT cells reactivity.
Thedrez
Aurelie
A
Institute Nationale Scientifique et Recherche Medicale, Nantes, France.
de Lalla
Claudia
C
Allain
Sophie
S
Zaccagnino
Luca
L
Sidobre
Stephane
S
Garavaglia
Claudio
C
Borsellino
Giovanna
G
Dellabona
Paolo
P
Bonneville
Marc
M
Scotet
Emmanuel
E
Casorati
Giulia
G
D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000276:immunology; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; C526877:CD1D protein, human; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D005699:Galactosylceramides; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; C493154:alpha-galactosylceramide