NKT cells inhibit the development of experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis.

CD1d is an MHC class I-like, beta2-microglobulin-associated protein, constitutively expressed by antigen-presenting cells and some epithelial cells, which is recognized by NKT cells, a subpopulation of T cells. CD1d-dependent NKT cells confer protection in immune-mediated disorders, but whether these cells modulate the development of glomerulonephritis is unknown. Experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis was induced by administering anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies to NKT cell-deficient (CD1d(-/-)) and wild-type mice.