Prevention of injury-induced suppression of T-cell immunity by the CD1d/NKT cell-specific ligand alpha-galactosylceramide.
Infection, sepsis, and multiple organ failure continue to be significant factors leading to morbidity and mortality after severe injury. Studies by our laboratory and others have identified injury-induced defects in both innate and adaptive components of host defense. We previously reported that CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells actively suppress effector T-cell immunity after burn injury via production of excess IL-4 and failure to produce IFN-gamma. alpha-Galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) is a synthetic NKT cell-specific ligand presented exclusively to invariant NKT cells and is known to improve immunity against tumors and infection by promoting IFN-gamma production. Here, we confirmed the role of Valpha14-Jalpha281 invariant NKT cells in mouse model of burn injury-induced suppression of T-cell immunity and further asked whether alpha-GalCer can improve immunity after injury via similar mechanisms. We observed that systemic treatment with alpha-GalCer prevented the injury-induced suppression of Ag-specific T-cell responsiveness both in vitro and in vivo and restored the ability of splenic lymphocytes to produce both IL-2 and IFN-gamma. Moreover, burn injury was associated with diminished expression of major histocompatibility complex II and CD40 on antigen presenting cells that were both restored by alpha-GalCer treatment to levels seen in sham-treated mice. Collectively, these data suggest that, via manipulation of the NKT cell population, we may be able to maintain T-cell function and improve host defense after burn injury.
Tulley
Julia M
JM
Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Palmer
Jessica L
JL
Gamelli
Richard L
RL
Faunce
Douglas E
DE
D000818:Animals; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D002056:Burns / Q000503:physiopathology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D005699:Galactosylceramides; D007376:Interleukin-2; C493154:alpha-galactosylceramide; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma