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The natural killer T cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide prevents or promotes pristane-induced lupus in mice.

Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in organs such as kidneys and presence of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens. We have previously shown that CD1d deficiency in BALB/c mice exacerbates lupus nephritis and autoantibody production induced by the hydrocarbon oil pristane. Here, we have tested the impact of activating CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells on pristane-induced lupus-like autoimmunity in BALB/c and SJL mice. Repeated in vivo treatment of pristane-injected BALB/c mice with the NKT cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) prior to the onset of florid disease suppressed proteinuria, in a manner that was dependent on CD1d and IL-4 expression. In sharp contrast, however, similar treatment of pristane-injected SJL mice with alpha-GalCer resulted in increased proteinuria. Consistent with these dichotomous effects of NKT cell activation on the development of lupus-like autoimmunity, NKT cells in BALB/c and SJL/J mice exhibited a mixed Th1/Th2 and a Th1-biased cytokine production profile, respectively. These findings demonstrate that NKT cell activation with alpha-GalCer suppresses or promotes pristane-induced lupus-like autoimmunity in mice, in a strain-dependent manner.
AuthorsAvneesh K Singh, Jun-Qi Yang, Vrajesh V Parekh, Jie Wei, Chyung-Ru Wang, Sebastian Joyce, Ram R Singh, Luc Van Kaer
JournalEuropean journal of immunology (Eur J Immunol) Vol. 35 Issue 4 Pg. 1143-54 (Apr 2005) ISSN: 0014-2980 [Print] Germany
PMID15761849 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Terpenes
  • alpha-galactosylceramide
  • pristane
Topics
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Galactosylceramides (pharmacology)
  • Immunosuppressive Agents (pharmacology)
  • Killer Cells, Natural (drug effects)
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (chemically induced, metabolism, prevention & control)
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Terpenes (pharmacology)

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