γδ T cells as mediators of mucosal tolerance: The autoimmune diabetes model

Abstract

Mucosal delivery of soluble antigen induces systemic tolerance and has been applied to the prevention of autoimmune diseases. We have studied mucosal tolerance in autoimmune diabetes using the non-obese diabetic mouse model. Treatment of prediabetic mice with the pancreatic islet autoantigen insulin, by aerosol or intranasal delivery, reduces the incidence of diabetes and is associated with induction of CD8 (αα) γδ T cells, small numbers of which prevent adoptive transfer of diabetes. We examine the evidence for γδ T cells in mucosal tolerance and discuss possible mechanisms underlying the induction and action of insulin-induced CD8 γδ regulatory T cells. CD8 γδ cells constitute the most abu..