alpha-galactosylceramide induces early B-cell activation through IL-4 production by NKT cells

Cell Immunol. 2000 Jan 10;199(1):37-42. doi: 10.1006/cimm.1999.1602.

Abstract

alpha-Galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), a glycolipid antigen, specifically activates natural killer T (NKT) cells by a CD1d-restricted mechanism. In this work, we found that in vivo administration of alpha-GalCer resulted in the activation of B cells in addition to NKT cells, namely, alpha-GalCer administration caused upregulation of the early activation marker, CD69, on both NKT and B cells. In addition, expression of B7.2 and I-A(b) on B cells was greatly upregulated by alpha-GalCer. However, serum levels of IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a were not significantly changed within 48 h. In the present experiments, it was also demonstrated that the upregulation of CD69 expression by alpha-GalCer was strongly blocked by anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody. Moreover, B-cell activation by alpha-GalCer was not observed in NKT-deficient mice. These results suggested that antigen-stimulated NKT cells might play a critical role not only in early defense mechanisms but also in early B-cell activation through IL-4 production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigens / administration & dosage
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Galactosylceramides / administration & dosage
  • Galactosylceramides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Galactosylceramides / immunology*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Immunoglobulin E / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-4 / blood
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD69 antigen
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Nktr protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Interleukin-4
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Interferon-gamma