Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor modulates alpha-galactosylceramide-responsive human Valpha24+Vbeta11+NKT cells

J Immunol. 2004 Oct 15;173(8):4960-6. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.8.4960.

Abstract

Despite more than a 10-fold increase in T cell numbers in G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts, incidence and severity of acute graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) are comparable to bone marrow transplantation. As CD1d-restricted, Valpha24+Vbeta11+ NKT cells have pivotal immune regulatory functions and may influence GVHD, we aimed to determine whether G-CSF has any effects on human NKT cells. In this study, we examined the frequency and absolute numbers of peripheral blood NKT cells in healthy stem cell donors (n = 8) before and following G-CSF (filgrastim) treatment. Effects of in vivo and in vitro G-CSF on NKT cell cytokine expression profiles and on responsiveness of NKT cell subpopulations to specific stimulation by alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) were assessed. Contrary to the effects on conventional T cells, the absolute number of peripheral blood NKT cells was unaffected by G-CSF administration. Furthermore, responsiveness of NKT cells to alpha-GalCer stimulation was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) following exposure to G-CSF in vivo. This hyporesponsiveness was predominantly due to a direct effect on NKT cells, with a lesser contribution from G-CSF-mediated changes in APC. G-CSF administration resulted in polarization of NKT cells toward a Th2, IL-4-secreting phenotype following alpha-GalCer stimulation and preferential expansion of the CD4+ NKT cell subset. We conclude that G-CSF has previously unrecognized differential effects in vivo on NKT cells and conventional MHC-restricted T cells, and effects on NKT cells may contribute to the lower than expected incidence of GVHD following allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Polarity
  • Galactosylceramides / pharmacology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Th2 Cells / physiology

Substances

  • Galactosylceramides
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Interferon-gamma