PMID: 15329444Aug 27, 2004Paper

Regulation by innate immune T lymphocytes in the host defense against pulmonary infection with Cryptococcus neoformans

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases
K Kawakami

Abstract

Recently, innate immune lymphocytes, such as natural killer (NK) T cells and gamma/delta antigen receptor-bearing T (gamma delta T) cells, have garnered much attention, and their biological significance in the tumor immunity, allergic diseases and infectious diseases is extensively exploited. We have addressed the role of these cells in the host defense using a mouse model of pulmonary infection with Cryptococcus neoformans, which frequently causes fatal meningoencephalitis in AIDS patients. Host defense to this fungal pathogen is largely mediated by cellular immunity, and type-1 helper T (Th1) cells play a central role in this process. This infection causes a prompt accumulation of both NKT and gamma delta T cells in the lung tissues in a monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1-dependent or -independent manner, respectively. Genetic deletion of V alpha 14+ NKT cells ameliorates the Th1 response and clearance of microorganisms in the lungs, whereas these host protective responses are rather enhanced in mice lacking gamma delta T cells. Thus, in some aspect, these innate immune lymphocytes may co-regulate the Th1-mediated response for induction of the moderate host defense. gamma delta T cells may act to keep the balance of Th1...Continue Reading

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