CD1-restricted adaptive immune responses to Mycobacteria in human group 1 CD1 transgenic mice

J Exp Med. 2009 Oct 26;206(11):2497-509. doi: 10.1084/jem.20090898. Epub 2009 Oct 5.

Abstract

Group 1 CD1 (CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c)-restricted T cells recognize mycobacterial lipid antigens and are found at higher frequencies in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-infected individuals. However, their role and dynamics during infection remain unknown because of the lack of a suitable small animal model. We have generated human group 1 CD1 transgenic (hCD1Tg) mice that express all three human group 1 CD1 isoforms and support the development of group 1 CD1-restricted T cells with diverse T cell receptor usage. Both mycobacterial infection and immunization with Mtb lipids elicit group 1 CD1-restricted Mtb lipid-specific T cell responses in hCD1Tg mice. In contrast to CD1d-restricted NKT cells, which rapidly respond to initial stimulation but exhibit anergy upon reexposure, group 1 CD1-restricted T cells exhibit delayed primary responses and more rapid secondary responses, similar to conventional T cells. Collectively, our data demonstrate that group 1 CD1-restricted T cells participate in adaptive immune responses upon mycobacterial infection and could serve as targets for the development of novel Mtb vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Antigens, CD1 / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Epitopes
  • Humans
  • Immunity / immunology*
  • Immunization
  • Kinetics
  • Lipids / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Mycobacterium / immunology*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / cytology
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / immunology
  • Phenotype
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1
  • Epitopes
  • Lipids