NK3-like NK cells are involved in protective effect of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid on type I diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice

作者：Zhou, Rongbin; Wei, Haiming; Tian, Zhigang^*

来源：The Journal of Immunology, 2007, 178(4): 2141-2147.

DOI：10.4049/jimmunol.178.4.2141

• NATURAL-KILLER-CELL
• TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS
• T-CELLS
• NOD MOUSE
• EXPRESSION
• ACTIVATION
• LEUKOCYTES
• INDUCTION
• PREVENTS
• SUBSETS

Type 1 diabetes in NOD mice is characterized by the uncontrolled Th1 immune responses and deficiency of regulatory or suppressor cells. Previous study has shown that NOD mice treated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) have a markedly reduced incidence of diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we report that the prevention of diabetes by poly(I:Q is associated with the formation of Th2-enriched environment in spleen and pancreas. We further show that the prevention of diabetes and the formation of Th2-enriched environment depend on the presence of NK cells. Long-term poly (I:C)-treated NK cells exhibit a NK3-like phenotype, and are involved in the induction of Th2 bias of spleen cells in response to islet autoantigens via TGF-beta-dependent manner. Therefore, NK cells mediate the protective effect of poly(I:C) possibly through the promotion of Th2 bias of immune responses. These findings suggest that NK cells can participate in the regulation of autoimmune diabetes. The Journal of Immunology, 2007, 178: 2141-2147.

• 出版日期2007-2-15
• 单位中国科学技术大学