Airway hyperresponsiveness through synergy of gammadelta} T cells and NKT cells

J Immunol. 2007 Sep 1;179(5):2961-8. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.5.2961.

Abstract

Mice sensitized and challenged with OVA were used to investigate the role of innate T cells in the development of allergic airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). AHR, but not eosinophilic airway inflammation, was induced in T cell-deficient mice by small numbers of cotransferred gammadelta T cells and invariant NKT cells, whereas either cell type alone was not effective. Only Vgamma1+Vdelta5+ gammadelta T cells enhanced AHR. Surprisingly, OVA-specific alphabeta T cells were not required, revealing a pathway of AHR development mediated entirely by innate T cells. The data suggest that lymphocytic synergism, which is key to the Ag-specific adaptive immune response, is also intrinsic to T cell-dependent innate responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / analysis
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / analysis*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Ovalbumin