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P2X₇ Receptors Regulate NKT Cells in Autoimmune Hepatitis¹

Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Adenine nucleotides induce danger signals in T cells via purinergic receptors, raising the question whether they exert similar effects on innate immunity. Here we show that micromolar concentrations of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) induce a rapid increase of annexin V staining in NKT cells in vitro, a response that requires expression of P2X₇Rs. Consistent with this result, treatment of mice with NAD causes a temporary decrease of NKT cells in the liver and protects from Con A- and -galactosylceramide-induced hepatitis, both of which require functional NKT cells. Resistance to liver injury is associated with decreased cytokine production by NKT cells in NAD-treated mice. In contrast, when NAD is injected into Con A- or -galactosylceramide-primed mice, liver injury is exacerbated and cytokine production by NKT cells is increased. This effect is caused by P2X₇R-mediated stimulation of activated NKT cells. In agreement, mice lacking P2X₇Rs on lymphocytes suffer reduced liver injury, and animals lacking ADP-ribosyltransferase, the enzyme that uses NAD to attach ADP-ribosyl groups to cell surfaces, are also resistant to Con A-induced hepatitis. These results prompt the conclusion that engagement of P2X₇Rs on NKT cells inhibits naive, while stimulating activated cells, resulting in suppression or stimulation of autoimmune hepatitis.

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The JI 2006 176: 2051-2052. [Full Text]  

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