Functional invariant NKT cells in pig lungs regulate the airway hyperreactivity: a potential animal model.
Important roles played by invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in asthma pathogenesis have been demonstrated. We identified functional iNKT cells and CD1d molecules in pig lungs. Pig iNKT cells cultured in the presence of α-GalCer proliferated and secreted Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Like in other animal models, direct activation of pig lung iNKT cells using α-GalCer resulted in acute airway hyperreactivity (AHR). Clinically, acute AHR-induced pigs had increased respiratory rate, enhanced mucus secretion in the airways, fever, etc. In addition, we observed petechial hemorrhages, infiltration of CD4(+) cells, and increased Th2 cytokines in AHR-induced pig lungs. Ex vivo proliferated iNKT cells of asthma induced pigs in the presence of C-glycoside analogs of α-GalCer had predominant Th2 phenotype and secreted more of Th2 cytokine, IL-4. Thus, baby pigs may serve as a useful animal model to study iNKT cell-mediated AHR caused by various environmental and microbial CD1d-specific glycolipid antigens.
Food Animal Health Research Program, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691, USA. gourapura.1@osu.edu
Gourapura J
GJ
Renukaradhya
Cordelia
C
Manickam
Mahesh
M
Khatri
Abdul
A
Rauf
Xiangming
X
Li
Moriya
M
Tsuji
Gireesh
G
Rajashekara
Varun
V
Dwivedi
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D055610:Antigens, CD1d / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006027:Glycosides; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; C438934:C-glycoside; D006027:Glycosides; D009005:Monosaccharides