Jabri B, de Serre NP, Cellier C, Evans K, Gache C, Carvalho C, Mougenot JF, Allez M, Jian R, Desreumaux P, Colombel JF, Matuchansky C, Cugnenc H, Lopez-Botet M, Vivier E, Moretta A, Roberts AI, Ebert EC, Guy-Grand D, Brousse N, Schmitz J, Cerf-Bensussan N. Selective expansion of intraepithelial lymphocytes expressing the HLA-E-specific natural killer receptor CD94 in celiac disease.
Gastroenterology 2000;
118:867-79. [PMID:
10784586 PMCID:
PMC7095198 DOI:
10.1016/s0016-5085(00)70173-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/1999] [Accepted: 01/06/2000] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Celiac disease is a gluten-induced enteropathy characterized by the presence of gliadin-specific CD4(+) T cells in the lamina propria and by a prominent intraepithelial T-cell infiltration of unknown mechanism. The aim of this study was to characterize the subset(s) of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) expanding during active celiac disease to provide insights into the mechanisms involved in their expansion.
METHODS
Flow-cytometric analysis of isolated IELs and/or immunohistochemical staining of frozen sections were performed in 51 celiac patients and 50 controls with a panel of monoclonal antibodies against T-cell and natural killer (NK) receptors. In addition, in vitro studies were performed to identify candidate stimuli for NK receptor expression.
RESULTS
In normal intestine, different proportions of IELs, which were mainly T cells, expressed the NK receptors CD94/NKG2, NKR-P1A, KIR2D/3D, NKp46, Pen5, or CD56. During the active phase of celiac disease, the frequency of CD94(+) IELs, which were mostly alphabeta T cells, was conspicuously increased over controls. In contrast, the expression of other NK markers was not modified. Furthermore, expression of CD94 could be selectively induced in vitro by T-cell receptor activation and/or interleukin 15, a cytokine produced by intestinal epithelial cells.
CONCLUSIONS
The gut epithelium favors the development of T cells that express NK receptors. In active celiac disease, there is a specific and selective increase of IELs expressing CD94, the HLA-E-specific NK receptor that may be related to T-cell receptor activation and/or interleukin 15 secretion.
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