Deficiency of invariant NK T cells in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Date
2007
Authors
Grose, R.
Thompson, F.
Baxter, A.
Pellicci, D.
Cummins, A.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2007; 52(6):1415-1422
Statement of Responsibility
Randall H. Grose, Fiona M. Thompson, Alan G. Baxter, Daniel G. Pellicci and Adrian G. Cummins
Conference Name
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether immunoregulatory invariant NK T cells are deficient in Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Blood was collected for flow cytometry from 106 Crohn's disease, 91 ulcerative colitis, and 155 control subjects. Invariant NK T cells were assessed by Valpha24 and (alpha-galactosylceramide/CD1d tetramer markers. Intracellular cytokine was measured after in vitro anti-CD3 antibody stimulation. Valpha24+ T cells were quantified in ileocolonic biopsies as mRNA by real-time PCR and by immunofluorescence. Circulating invariant NK T cells were 5.3% of the control levels in Crohn's (P < 0.001) and 7.9% of the control levels in ulcerative colitis (P < 0.001). Interleukin-4 production was impaired in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Intestinal Valpha24 mRNA expression was 7% in Crohn's disease (P < 0.05) and 9% in ulcerative colitis (P < 0.05). Intestinal Valpha24+ T cells were 23% in Crohn's disease but not reduced in ulcerative colitis. We conclude that invariant NK T cells are deficient in Crohn's disease and in ulcerative colitis.