[Immunoregulative effect of NK1.1+ cells on the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect and immuoregulative mechanisms of NK1.1(+) cells on the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG).


METHODS
The NK1.1(+) cells were depleted by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of anti-mouse NK1.1 mAb to C57BL/6 mice. Mice were immunized subcutaneously with AChR in CFA. The incidence and severity of EAMG was determined according to the Lennon disease symptoms grading. IFN-gamma and IL-4 in MNCs culture medium were measured by ELISA. AChR IgG of serum was measured by radioimmunoassay. In some experiments, the anti-IFN-gamma mAb was injected (i.p.) to neutralize IFN-gamma.


RESULTS
The onset of EAMG was delayed and the severity was decreased obviously in NK1.1(+) cell-depleted mice. However, depletion of NK1.1(+) cells after immunization had no impact on the development of EAMG. Depletion of NK1.1(+) cells could significantly reduce the expression of AChR-specific antibody as well as the production of IFN-gamma. The development of EAMG and production of AChR specific Ab in NK1.1(+) cell-depleted mice were decreased obviously after treating with anti-IFN-gamma antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
NK1.1(+) cells are involved in the early EAMG, and NK1.1(+) cells could enhance the production of IFN-gamma released by AChR-specific T cells as well as the AChR-specific antibodies, which may enhance the outcome of EAMG.
Li
Hu-lun
HL
Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. lihulun@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
Guang-you
GY
Li
Guo-zhong
GZ
Sun
Bo
B
Zhao
Ji-cheng
JC
Kong
Qing-fei
QF
Jin
Lian-hong
LH
Wang
Dan-dan
DD
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D020720:Myasthenia Gravis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011897:Random Allocation; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma