Invariant NKT cells producing IL-4 or IL-10, but not IFN-gamma, inhibit the Th1 response in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, whereas none of these cells inhibits the Th17 response

J Immunol. 2011 Jun 15;186(12):6815-21. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1003916. Epub 2011 May 13.

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is mediated by Th1 and Th17 cells. Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells prevent EAE in an IL-4-, IL-10-, and IFN-γ-dependent manner. However, which of the iNKT cell-produced cytokines regulates the Th1 or Th17 response in EAE remains unclear. Wild-type B6 and Jα18(-/-) mice were immunized with MOG(35-55) peptide to address this issue. Clinical scores for EAE, IL-17, and IFN-γ transcript levels, and IL-17- or IFN-γ-expressing CD4(+) T cell percentages in the CNS and draining lymph nodes were higher in Jα18(-/-) than in B6 mice, but all of these parameters in the CNS were reduced by the adoptive transfer of wild-type or IFN-γ-deficient iNKT cells into the Jα18(-/-) mice before immunization. In contrast, adoptive transfer of IL-4- or IL-10-deficient iNKT cells into Jα18(-/-) mice decreased IL-17 transcript levels and the percentage of IL-17-expressing CD4(+) T cells in the CNS but did not affect clinical scores, IFN-γ transcript levels, or the percentage of IFN-γ-expressing CD4(+) T cells in the CNS. Taken together, IL-4- and IL-10-producing iNKT cells inhibit the Th1 cell response, but not the Th17 cell response, although wild-type iNKT cells suppress both the Th1 and Th17 responses in the CNS during EAE. Moreover, IFN-γ-producing iNKT cells have a minimal role in the regulation of the Th1 and Th17 responses in EAE.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System / immunology
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology*
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / immunology
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / metabolism*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th17 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • IL10 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma