Unconventional NK1.1(-) intermediate TCR cells as major T lymphocytes expanding in chronic graft-versus-host disease

Eur J Immunol. 2002 Sep;32(9):2521-31. doi: 10.1002/1521-4141(200209)32:9<2521::AID-IMMU2521>3.0.CO;2-I.

Abstract

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) accompanying autoimmune disease was induced in (C57BL/6xDBA/2) F(1) mice (H-2(b/d)) by an injection of splenic T cells of parental DBA/2 origin (H-2(d)). In parallel with the onset of proteinuria, an expansion of lymphocytes was induced in the liver and kidney, showing a peak at 2 weeks after the onset of disease. The majority of lymphocytes were of recipient origin (H-2(b/d)). The main lymphocyte subset among T cells at the pre-onset stage and after the onset of disease was CD8(+) NK1.1(-) CD3(int) cells (of extrathymic, hepatic origin) in both the liver and kidney. NK1.1(-) CD3(int) cells confer primarily neither NK-like nor NKT-like cytotoxicity. No induction of these types of cytotoxicity was observed in these mice with the expansion of NK1.1(-) CD3(int) cells. This raised the possibility that granulocytes induced in the liver and kidney might be associated with tissue damage. The present results suggest that, similarly to the case of autoimmune-prone mice with genetic background (e.g. MRL-lpr/lpr mice and BXSB mice), NK1.1(-) CD3(int) cells of extrathymic, hepatic origin might be crucial lymphocytes involved in the induction of the autoimmune-like disease in mice with chronic GVHD, in conjunction with Bcells (e.g. B-1 cells).

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • Antigens / analysis*
  • Antigens, Ly
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Autoantibodies / biosynthesis
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • CD3 Complex / analysis
  • CD4-CD8 Ratio
  • CD5 Antigens / analysis
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • Chronic Disease
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Granulocytes / immunology
  • Granulocytes / pathology
  • H-2 Antigens / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin D / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin D / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Kidney / immunology
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Liver / immunology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
  • Models, Animal
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Nephritis / etiology
  • Nephritis / immunology*
  • Nephritis / pathology
  • Proteins / analysis*
  • Proteinuria / etiology
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / transplantation*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Antigens, Ly
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Autoantibodies
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD5 Antigens
  • H-2 Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin D
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Klrb1c protein, mouse
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Proteins