Tolerant T cells inhibit natural killer cells function in antigen-presenting cells in an independent fashion

Transplant Proc. 2009 Jun;41(5):1844-7. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.11.013.

Abstract

Understanding the relationships among immune cells in the setting of immunologic tolerance is imperative to maintain organ and tissue transplants. T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are responsible for both immune tolerance and immune rejection; however, there is only limited knowledge about the relevance of T and NK cells in tolerance. To address this issue, we explored the possible actions of tolerant T cells on NK cells by the means of mixed lymphocyte co-cultures and NK cytotoxicity assays. We showed that tolerant T cell-induced blockade of the co-stimulatory pathway significantly inhibited NK cell function in vitro regarding antigen-presenting cells. This action was cell-cell-contact dependent. We argue that tolerant T cells and NK cells impart synergistic cooperation to maintain transplant tolerance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / cytology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology*
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Skin Transplantation / immunology*
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Transplantation, Heterologous / immunology