NKT cell activation by local alpha-galactosylceramide administration decreases susceptibility to HSV-2 infection

作者：Iversen Marie Beck; Jensen Simon Kok; Hansen Anne Louise; Winther Henriette; Issazadeh Navikas Shohreh; Reinert Line Sinnathamby; Holm Christian Kanstrup^*

来源：Immunobiology, 2015, 220(6): 762-768.

DOI：10.1016/j.imbio.2014.12.019

• Innate immunity
• Natural killer T cells
• alpha GalCer
• The murine intra-vaginal model
• Herpes simplex virus 2

NKT cells are a subgroup of T cells, which express a restricted TCR repertoire and are critical for the innate immune responses to viral infections. Activation of NKT cells depends on the major histocompatibility complex-related molecule CD Id, which presents bioactive lipids to NKT cells. The marine sponge derived lipid alpha GalCer has recently been demonstrated as a specific agonist for activation of human and murine NKT cells. In the present study we investigated the applicability of alpha GalCer pre-treatment for immune protection against intra-vaginal HSV-2 infection. We found that C57BL/6 WT mice that received local pretreatment with aGalCer prior to intra-vaginal HSV-2 infection had a lower mean disease score, mortality and viral load in the vagina following infection, compared to mice that did not receive alpha GalCer pre-treatment. Further, we found increased numbers of CD45 and NK1.1 positive cells in vaginal tissue and elevated levels of IFN-gamma in the vaginal tissue and in vaginal fluids 24 h after alpha GalCer pre-treatment. Collectively our data demonstrate a protective effect of aGalCer induced activation of NKT cells in the innate immune protection against viral infection.

• 出版日期2015-6