A major fraction of human bone marrow lymphocytes are Th2-like CD1d-reactive T cells that can suppress mixed lymphocyte responses

J Immunol. 2001 Nov 15;167(10):5531-4. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.167.10.5531.

Abstract

Murine bone marrow (BM) NK T cells can suppress graft-vs-host disease, transplant rejection, and MLRs. Human BM contains T cells with similar potential. Human BM was enriched for NK T cells, approximately 50% of which recognized the nonpolymorphic CD1d molecule. In contrast to the well-characterized blood-derived CD1d-reactive invariant NK T cells, the majority of human BM CD1d-reactive T cells used diverse TCR. Healthy donor invariant NK T cells rapidly produce large amounts of IL-4 and IFN-gamma and can influence Th1/Th2 decision-making. Healthy donor BM CD1d-reactive T cells were Th2-biased and suppressed MLR and, unlike the former, responded preferentially to CD1d(+) lymphoid cells. These results identify a novel population of human T cells which may contribute to B cell development and/or maintain Th2 bias against autoimmune T cell responses against new B cell Ag receptors. Distinct CD1d-reactive T cell populations have the potential to suppress graft-vs-host disease and stimulate antitumor responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD1 / analysis*
  • Antigens, CD1d
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Lectins, C-Type*
  • Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / classification
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1
  • Antigens, CD1d
  • Antigens, Surface
  • CD1D protein, human
  • Cytokines
  • KLRB1 protein, human
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B