| First Author | Hijioka K | Year | 2008 |
| Journal | Biochem Biophys Res Commun | Volume | 374 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 38-43 |
| PubMed ID | 18606153 | Mgi Jnum | J:138197 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3804554 | Doi | 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.06.080 |
| Citation | Hijioka K, et al. (2008) Investigation of the role of CD1d-restricted invariant NKT cells in experimental choroidal neovascularization. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 374(1):38-43 |
| abstractText | Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is directly related to visual loss in age-related macular degeneration and other macular disorders. We have investigated the role of CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells in laser-induced experimental CNV. Quantitative real-time PCR detected increased expression of NKT cell-related genes (Valpha14 and CXCL16) in whole eyes undergoing CNV, indicating local accumulation of NKT cells. We found a significant reduction of CNV and lower concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ocular fluid in two different NKT cell-deficient mice, CD1d knockout (KO) and Jalpha18 KO mice. We also established in vitro co-cultures of retinal pigment epithelial cells and splenic NKT cells, and confirmed NKT cells could produce VEGF in the dish. Moreover, inoculating alpha-galactosylceramide, the ligand for NKT cells, into the vitreous cavity of C57BL/6 mice promoted CNV. We concluded that NKT cells play an important role in CNV as an inducer of VEGF. |
