Protective role of α-galactosylceramide-stimulated natural killer T cells in genital tract infection with Chlamydia muridarum.
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique lymphocyte subpopulation which has an important role in the response to microbial pathogens. In this study, we used α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a specific ligand of NKT cells, to enhance NKT response and examine its effect on host defense against genital tract Chlamydia muridarum infection. The results showed that α-GalCer treatment before infection led to reduced pathological changes and bacterial burden in the genital tract. Moreover, α-GalCer-treated mice showed greater local Th1 cytokine production [interferon γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin 12 (IL-12)] in local lymph node cells and genital tissues following challenge infection compared with untreated mice, as well as an enhanced level of IFN-γ production by NK and T cells. In addition, NKT cells in the mice with genital tract C. muridarum infection, unlike those from naïve mice, showed a polarized IFN-γ production. These results suggest a promoting role of NKT cells on type 1 T cell immune response and host resistance to Chlamydia in genital tract infection.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China.
Hong
H
Wang
Lei
L
Zhao
Ying
Y
Peng
Juan
J
Liu
Mei
M
Qi
Qiang
Q
Chen
Xi
X
Yang
Weiming
W
Zhao
D000818:Animals; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D023502:Chlamydia muridarum / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000378:metabolism*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D060737:Reproductive Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D005699:Galactosylceramides