Expansion of invariant natural killer T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients by alpha-Galactosylceramide and IL-15.

CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interleukin (IL)-15 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which is over-expressed in SLE patients. In the present study, we investigated the iNKT cell expansion of mononuclear cells (MNCs) from SLE patients following 10 days' culture with α-galactosylceramide (α-Galcer) and /or IL-15.

Phenotypic and functional characterization of natural killer cells in rheumatoid arthritis-regulation with interleukin-15.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation and joint destruction. Previous studies have shown that natural killer (NK) cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. Interleukin (IL)-15, a pro-inflammatory cytokine which induces proliferation and differentiation of NK cells, is overexpressed in RA.

Cytotoxic Function and Cytokine Production of Natural Killer Cells and Natural Killer T-Like Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosis Regulation with Interleukin-15.

Natural killer cells and NKT-like cells are the first line immune defense against tumor and virus infection. Deficient NK and NKT-like cell effector function may contribute to increased susceptibility to infection in SLE patients. We sought to examine the perforin and granzyme B expression, interferon-gamma (IFN-), and tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) production and CD107a degranulation of NK and NKT-like cells from SLE patients and their regulation by IL-15.

Activating and inhibitory receptors on natural killer cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosis-regulation with interleukin-15.

Natural killer (NK) cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE. Interleukin(IL)-15, an NK-enhancing cytokine, is over-expressed in SLE patients. In the present study, we examined the effect of IL-15 on NK cytotoxicity of SLE patients, and the expression of various activating and inhibitory NK receptors on NK cells from SLE patients in relation to disease activity.

Effect of Interleukin-15 on CD11b, CD54, and CD62L Expression on Natural Killer Cell and Natural Killer T-Like Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Adhesion molecules may play an important role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. We investigated the effect of interleukin- (IL-) 15 on CD11b, CD54, and CD62L expression on natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and CD56CD3 NKT-like cells from SLE subjects and healthy controls. SLE patients had decreased circulating NK cells and NKT-like cells compared to controls.

Azithromycin modulates immune response of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and CD4 T cells.

Azithromycin (AZM) is a macrolide antibiotic that exhibits anti-inflammatory activity aside from its antimicrobial effect, a feature that may ameliorate certain inflammatory disorders and prevent graft-versus-host disease in patients receiving stem cell transplantation. In the present study, we investigated the ability of AZM to influence the function of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4 T cells. We found that AZM down-regulated CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated DCs and suppressed interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in these cells.

Interleukin-15 enhances the expansion and function of natural killer T cells from adult peripheral and umbilical cord blood.

Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) are innate-like non-conventional T cells restricted by the CD1d molecule that are unique in their ability to play a pivotal role in immune regulation. Deficient iNKT function has been reported in patients receiving umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation. We sought to determine the effect of interleukin (IL)-15 on α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer)-expanded iNKT cell function from UCB and adult peripheral blood (APB) mononuclear cells (MNCs).

Cytokine activation of natural killer cells.

CD3(-)CD56(+) natural killer (NK) cells can kill various tumors in a non major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted fashion. Recent advances have been made in the application of NK cells for the treatment of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Allogeneic donor-derived NK cells can be activated in vitro and infused into patients receiving stem cell transplants.

Expansion of regulatory T cells from umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25 (+) T cells.

CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg), if properly expanded from umbilical cord blood (UCB), may provide a promising immunotherapeutic tool. Our previous data demonstrated that UCB CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells with 4-day stimulation have comparable phenotypes and suppressive function to that of adult peripheral blood (APB) CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells. We further examined whether 2-week culture would achieve higher expansion levels of Tregs.

Effect of influenza A infection on umbilical cord blood natural killer function regulation with interleukin-15.

Background: Influenza A is a major pathogen of humans and has the potential to cause worldwide pandemics. Natural killer (NK) cells are important effector cells in the innate immune response against viruses, including influenza A. Infants are more susceptible to severe influenza A viral infection, possibly attributed in part to their defective NK function.

Regulation of CD28 expression on umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood CD8+ T cells by interleukin(IL)-15/IL-21.

Interleukin (IL)-15 and IL-21, both belonging to common γ-chain-signaling cytokine family, have an important role to maintain homeostatic proliferation of CD8(+) T cells. CD28, an essential co-stimulatory molecule on T cells, may be a marker of replicative senescence. We investigated the effect of IL-15 and IL-21, alone or in combination, on activation, apoptosis, cytokine production and cytotoxic function of magnetic bead purified umbilical cord blood (UCB) and adult peripheral blood (APB) CD8(+) T cells with regards to their CD28 expression.

Umbilical cord blood immunology: relevance to stem cell transplantation.

Because of its easier accessibility and less severe graft-versus-host disease, umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been increasingly used as an alternative to bone marrow for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Naiveté of UCB lymphocytes, however, results in delayed immune reconstitution and infection-related mortality in transplant recipients. This review updates the phenotypic and functional deficiencies of various immune cell populations in UCB compared with their adult counterparts and discusses clinical implications and possible therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of stem cell transplantation.

Effect of interleukin-15 on alloreactivity in umbilical cord blood.

Interleukin(IL)-15 is a promising immunotherapeutic agent for immune reconstitution following stem cell transplantation. To investigate whether IL-15 would aggravate graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in the setting of unrelated umbilical cord blood (CB) transplantation, we examined the effect of IL-15 on activation marker expression, proliferation and cytokine production of CB in a one-way mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) assay. We found that IL-15 differentially enhanced CD69 and CD25 expression on CB T cells following allo-stimulation.