The CD1d-binding glycolipid alpha-galactosylceramide enhances humoral immunity to T-dependent and T-independent antigen in a CD1d-dependent manner

Immunology. 2006 Sep;119(1):116-25. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2006.02413.x. Epub 2006 Jun 22.

Abstract

Specific interaction of class II/peptide with the T-cell receptor (TCR) expressed by class II-restricted CD4+ T helper (Th) cells is essential for in vivo production of antibodies reactive with T-dependent antigen. In response to stimulation with CD1d-binding glycolipid, Valpha14+ TCR-expressing, CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells may provide additional help for antibody production. We tested the hypothesis that the CD1d-binding glycolipid alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GC) enhances production of antibodies reactive with T-dependent antigen in vivo. alpha-GC enhanced antibody production in vivo in a CD1d-dependent manner in the presence of class II-restricted Th cells and induced a limited antibody response in Th-deficient mice. alpha-GC also led to alterations in isotype switch, selectively increasing production of immunoglobulin G2b. Further analysis revealed that alpha-GC led to priming of class II-restricted Th cells in vivo. Additionally, we observed that alpha-GC enhanced production of antibodies reactive with T-independent antigen, showing the effects of NKT cells on B cells independently of Th cells. Our data show that NKT cells have multiple effects on the induction of a humoral immune response. We propose that NKT cells could be exploited for the development of novel vaccines where protective antibody is required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antigens, CD1 / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD1d
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Galactosylceramides / pharmacology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Ovalbumin
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / metabolism
  • Staining and Labeling
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1
  • Antigens, CD1d
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • alpha-galactosylceramide
  • Ovalbumin