Deficiency of invariant NK T cells in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether immunoregulatory invariant NK T cells are deficient in Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Blood was collected for flow cytometry from 106 Crohn's disease, 91 ulcerative colitis, and 155 control subjects. Invariant NK T cells were assessed by Valpha24 and (alpha-galactosylceramide/CD1d tetramer markers. Intracellular cytokine was measured after in vitro anti-CD3 antibody stimulation. Valpha24+ T cells were quantified in ileocolonic biopsies as mRNA by real-time PCR and by immunofluorescence. Circulating invariant NK T cells were 5.3% of the control levels in Crohn's (P < 0.001) and 7.9% of the control levels in ulcerative colitis (P < 0.001). Interleukin-4 production was impaired in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Intestinal Valpha24 mRNA expression was 7% in Crohn's disease (P < 0.05) and 9% in ulcerative colitis (P < 0.05). Intestinal Valpha24+ T cells were 23% in Crohn's disease but not reduced in ulcerative colitis. We conclude that invariant NK T cells are deficient in Crohn's disease and in ulcerative colitis.
Grose
Randall H
RH
Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research and Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Thompson
Fiona M
FM
Baxter
Alan G
AG
Pellicci
Daniel G
DG
Cummins
Adrian G
AG
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta