First Author | Kamijuku H | Year | 2008 |
Journal | Mucosal Immunol | Volume | 1 |
Issue | 3 | Pages | 208-18 |
PubMed ID | 19079180 | Mgi Jnum | J:191923 |
Mgi Id | MGI:5463561 | Doi | 10.1038/mi.2008.2 |
Citation | Kamijuku H, et al. (2008) Mechanism of NKT cell activation by intranasal coadministration of alpha-galactosylceramide, which can induce cross-protection against influenza viruses. Mucosal Immunol 1(3):208-18 |
abstractText | In a nasal vaccine against influenza, the activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells by intranasal coadministration of alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) can potently enhance protective immune responses. The results of this study show that the NKT cell-activated nasal vaccine can induce an effective cross-protection against different strains of influenza virus, including H5 type. To analyze the mechanism of NKT cell activation by this nasal vaccine, we prepared fluorescence-labeled alpha-GalCer by which we detect a direct interaction between NKT cells and alpha-GalCer-stored dendritic cells in nasal mucosa-associated tissues. Accordingly, although very few NKT cells exist at mucosa, the nasal vaccination induced a localized increase in NKT cell population, which is partly dependent on CXCL16/CXCR6. Furthermore, we found that NKT cell activation stimulates mucosal IgA production by a mechanism that is dependent on interleukin (IL)-4 production. These results strengthen the basis of nasal vaccination via NKT cell activation, which can induce immune cross-protection. |