title: Inverse association of peripheral blood CD4(+) invariant natural killer T cells with atopy in human asthma.
abstract: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of murine asthma. However, the role for iNKT cells in the pathogenesis of human asthma is not defined. In this study we aimed to determined how blood iNKT cells are associated with atopy in asthmatic individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 45 asthmatic subjects. iNKT cells were stained with 6B11 mAb, anti-TCRvalpha24 mAb, or alpha-galactosylceramide (GalCer)-loaded CD1d- tetramer and analyzed with flow-cytometric assays. Increased serum total IgE or one or more positive skin reactions to common allergens were used as atopic indexes. Asthmatic subjects with IgE > 500 IU/ml showed lower frequency of CD4(+) 6B11(+) iNKT cells (p < 0.01) or CD4(+) Valpha24(+) iNKT cells (p < 0.01) compared with subjects with IgE < or = 500 IU/ml. Asthmatic subjects with atopy on skin tests had lower frequency of CD4(+) alpha-GalCer-loaded CD1d- tetramer(+) iNKT cells compared with those without atopy (p < 0.05). The frequency of CD4(+) Valpha24(+) iNKT cells was negatively correlated with total IgE in asthmatic subjects (r = -0.33, p < 0.05). In summary, blood CD4(+) iNKT cells were inversely associated with atopic indexes in asthmatic individuals. We hypothesize that blood CD4(+) iNKT cells might behave like T(h)1-like iNKT cells in human asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology and Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea. yikoh@chonnam.ac.kr
authors.forename: Young-Il
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Jae-Uoong
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Jeong-Ook
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Wi
authors.forename: Eui-Ryoung
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Nam Chul
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Seul Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Cheol Kyu
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dong-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012882:Skin Tests; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E