MyD88-dependent signaling for IL-15 production plays an important role in maintenance of CD8αα TCRαβ and TCRγδ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes

Q Yu, C Tang, S Xun, T Yajima, K Takeda… - The Journal of …, 2006 - journals.aai.org
Q Yu, C Tang, S Xun, T Yajima, K Takeda, Y Yoshikai
The Journal of Immunology, 2006journals.aai.org
Interaction between commensal bacteria and intestinal epithelial cells (i-ECs) via TLRs is
important for intestinal homeostasis. In this study, we found that the numbers of CD8αα
TCRαβ and TCRγδ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i-IELs) were significantly
decreased in MyD88-deficient (−/−) mice. The expression of IL-15 by i-ECs was severely
reduced in MyD88−/− mice. Introduction of IL-15 transgene into MyD88−/− mice (MyD88−/−
IL-15 transgenic mice) partly restored the numbers of CD8αα TCRαβ and TCRγδ i-IELs. The …
Abstract
Interaction between commensal bacteria and intestinal epithelial cells (i-ECs) via TLRs is important for intestinal homeostasis. In this study, we found that the numbers of CD8αα TCRαβ and TCRγδ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i-IELs) were significantly decreased in MyD88-deficient (−/−) mice. The expression of IL-15 by i-ECs was severely reduced in MyD88−/− mice. Introduction of IL-15 transgene into MyD88−/− mice (MyD88−/− IL-15 transgenic mice) partly restored the numbers of CD8αα TCRαβ and TCRγδ i-IELs. The i-IEL in irradiated wild-type (WT) mice transferred with MyD88−/− bone marrow (BM) cells had the same proportions of i-IEL as WT mice, whereas those in irradiated MyD88−/− mice transferred with WT BM cells showed significantly reduced proportions of CD8αα TCRαβ and TCRγδ i-IELs, as was similar to the proportions found in MyD88−/− mice. However, irradiated MyD88−/− IL-15 transgenic mice transferred with WT BM cells had increased numbers of CD8αα TCRαβ and TCRγδ subsets in the i-IEL. These results suggest that parenchymal cells such as i-ECs contribute to the maintenance of CD8αα TCRαβ and γδ i-IELs at least partly via MyD88-dependent IL-15 production.
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