Open AccessProtective role of α‐galactosylceramide‐stimulated natural killer T cells in genital tract infection with C hlamydia muridarum
Author(s) -
Wang Hong,
Zhao Lei,
Peng Ying,
Liu Juan,
Qi Mei,
Chen Qiang,
Yang Xi,
Zhao Weiming
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2012.00939.x
Subject(s) - natural killer t cell , immunology , biology , chlamydia , immune system , interferon , cytokine , t cell
Natural killer T ( NKT ) cells are a unique lymphocyte subpopulation which has an important role in the response to microbial pathogens. In this study, we used α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer), a specific ligand of NKT cells, to enhance NKT response and examine its effect on host defense against genital tract C hlamydia muridarum infection. The results showed that α‐GalCer treatment before infection led to reduced pathological changes and bacterial burden in the genital tract. Moreover, α‐GalCer‐treated mice showed greater local T h1 cytokine production [interferon γ ( IFN ‐γ) and interleukin 12 ( IL ‐12)] in local lymph node cells and genital tissues following challenge infection compared with untreated mice, as well as an enhanced level of IFN ‐γ production by NK and T cells. In addition, NKT cells in the mice with genital tract C . muridarum infection, unlike those from naïve mice, showed a polarized IFN ‐γ production. These results suggest a promoting role of NKT cells on type 1 T cell immune response and host resistance to C hlamydia in genital tract infection.