NKT cell development in the absence of the autoimmune regulator gene (Aire)

Lauren A Pitt; Francois-Xavier Hubert; Hamish S Scott; Dale I Godfrey; Stuart P Berzins

Journal article

NKT cell development in the absence of the autoimmune regulator gene (Aire)

Lauren A Pitt, Francois-Xavier Hubert, Hamish S Scott, Dale I Godfrey, Stuart P Berzins

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY | WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH | Published : 2008

DOI: 10.1002/eji.200838553

Abstract

Autoimmune regulator gene (Aire)-deficient mice develop an array of autoimmune lesions that reflect failures of immune tolerance. Negative selection is clearly compromised in these mice, but there is evidence to suggest that other mechanisms of tolerance might also be affected, including a possible impairment of regulatory T cell (Treg) development. Studies to date have failed to demonstrate any significant impact on the development or function of the FOXP3+ Treg compartment, but NKT cells represent a distinct regulatory cell lineage that also develop in the thymus and which are known to influence self-tolerance. Aire-related defects coincide with NKT cell deficiencies in a number of animal ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Dale Godfrey Author Microbiology and Immunology

Stuart Berzins Author Microbiology and Immunology

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2007 PROGRAM GRANT - (IMMUNE REGULATION, EFFECTOR FUNCTION AND HUMAN IMMUNOTHERAPY)

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC)

Funding Acknowledgements

This research was primarily supported by a program grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) #251608, continued as #454569. The authors also acknowledge the following support: LAP, a Cancer Research Institute scholarship; F.-X. H., fellowships from la Fondation pour la Recherche Medicale (FRM) and the 6th FP of the EU, Marie Curie; H. S. S., NHMRC program grants (257501, 264573, 406700), and an NHMRC research fellowship, Eurothymaide and EURAPS, 6th FP of the EU, and the Nossal Leadership Award from the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research; DIG, NHMRC research fellowship; SPB, NHMRC career development award and an NHMRC project grant (#454363). The authors also acknowledge the generous support of the Picchi Brothers Foundation for support in acquisition of flow cytometry equipment.