Differential regulation of Th1 and Th2 functions of NKT cells by CD28 and CD40 costimulatory pathways

J Immunol. 2001 May 15;166(10):6012-8. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.10.6012.

Abstract

Valpha14 NKT cells produce large amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-4 upon recognition of their specific ligand alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) by their invariant TCR. We show here that NKT cells constitutively express CD28, and that blockade of CD28-CD80/CD86 interactions by anti-CD80 and anti-CD86 mAbs inhibits the alpha-GalCer-induced IFN-gamma and IL-4 production by splenic Valpha14 NKT cells. On the other, the blockade of CD40-CD154 interactions by anti-CD154 mAb inhibited alpha-GalCer-induced IFN-gamma production, but not IL-4 production. Consistent with these findings, CD28-deficient mice showed impaired IFN-gamma and IL-4 production in response to alpha-GalCer stimulation in vitro and in vivo, whereas production of IFN-gamma but not IL-4 was impaired in CD40-deficient mice. Moreover, alpha-GalCer-induced Th1-type responses, represented by enhanced cytotoxic activity of splenic or hepatic mononuclear cells and antimetastatic effect, were impaired in both CD28-deficient mice and CD40-deficient mice. In contrast, alpha-GalCer-induced Th2-type responses, represented by serum IgE and IgG1 elevation, were impaired in the absence of the CD28 costimulatory pathway but not in the absence of the CD40 costimulatory pathway. These results indicate that CD28-CD80/CD86 and CD40-CD154 costimulatory pathways differentially contribute to the regulation of Th1 and Th2 functions of Valpha14 NKT cells in vivo.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antigens, CD / physiology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • B7-1 Antigen / physiology
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CD28 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • CD28 Antigens / genetics
  • CD28 Antigens / physiology*
  • CD40 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • CD40 Antigens / genetics
  • CD40 Antigens / physiology*
  • CD40 Ligand / immunology
  • CD40 Ligand / physiology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / genetics
  • Galactosylceramides / administration & dosage
  • Galactosylceramides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Galactosylceramides / pharmacology
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Interferon-gamma / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation* / genetics
  • Male
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / prevention & control
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / drug effects
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / transplantation

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CD28 Antigens
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Cd86 protein, mouse
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma