Cutting edge: critical role of CXCL16/CXCR6 in NKT cell trafficking in allograft tolerance

J Immunol. 2005 Aug 15;175(4):2051-5. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.4.2051.

Abstract

It is well-documented that certain chemokines or their receptors play important roles in the graft rejection. However, the roles of chemokines and their receptors in the maintenance of transplantation tolerance remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that blocking of the interaction between the chemokine receptor, CXCR6, highly expressed on V alpha14+ NKT cells and its ligand, CXCL16, resulted in the failure to maintain graft tolerance and thus in the induction of acceleration of graft rejection. In a mouse transplant tolerance model, the expression of CXCL16 was up-regulated in the tolerated allografts, and anti-CXCL16 mAb inhibited intragraft accumulation of NKT cells. In vitro experiments further showed that blocking of CXCL16/CXCR6 interaction significantly affected not only chemotaxis but also cell adhesion of NKT cells. These results demonstrate the unique role of CXCL16 and CXCR6 molecules in the maintenance of cardiac allograft tolerance mediated by NKT cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / administration & dosage
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion / immunology
  • Cell Aggregation / genetics
  • Cell Aggregation / immunology
  • Chemokine CXCL16
  • Chemokines, CXC / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Chemokines, CXC / metabolism
  • Chemokines, CXC / physiology*
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / genetics
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology*
  • Cricetinae
  • Graft Rejection / genetics
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Heart Transplantation / immunology
  • Heart Transplantation / pathology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, CXCR
  • Receptors, CXCR6
  • Receptors, Chemokine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Chemokine / physiology*
  • Receptors, Scavenger / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Scavenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Scavenger / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Transplantation Tolerance / genetics
  • Transplantation Tolerance / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • CXCL16 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL16
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • Cxcr6 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, CXCR
  • Receptors, CXCR6
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Scavenger