Increased cytotoxicity of CD4+ invariant NKT cells against CD4+CD25hiCD127lo/- regulatory T cells in allergic asthma

Eur J Immunol. 2008 Jul;38(7):2034-45. doi: 10.1002/eji.200738082.

Abstract

CD4+CD25(hi)CD127(lo/-) regulatory T cells (Treg) have been implicated in the resolution of asthma-associated inflammation while the opposite role of CD4+ invariant NKT (iNKT) cells has been the subject of recent investigations. Studies here focused on mechanisms of interaction between CD4+ iNKT cells and Treg to further explore their roles in allergic asthma (AA). Flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of the natural cytotoxicity receptors NKp30 and NKp46 by CD4+ iNKT cells in AA subjects compared to healthy controls (HC) and non-allergic asthmatics (NA). Subsequent intracellular staining showed that CD4+ iNKT cells also expressed higher levels of granzyme B and perforin in AA than HC. In in vitro killing assays, AA CD4+ iNKT cells selectively killed autologous Treg, but not CD4+CD25- T cells, more potently than HC and NA counterparts. This increased cytotoxicity positively correlated with asthma severity and granzyme B/perforin expression of CD4+ iNKT cells. Furthermore, it could be abrogated by either inhibition of the granzyme B-/perforin-dependent cell death pathway or oral corticosteroid administration. Altogether, these findings suggest that increased cytotoxicity of CD4+ iNKT cells against Treg might contribute to dysfunctional cellular interactions in AA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Asthma / metabolism
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Granzymes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1
  • Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3
  • Perforin / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • NCR1 protein, human
  • NCR3 protein, human
  • Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1
  • Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Perforin
  • Granzymes