NKG2D blockade prevents autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice

Immunity. 2004 Jun;20(6):757-67. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2004.05.008.

Abstract

NKG2D is an activating receptor on CD8(+) T cells and NK cells that has been implicated in immunity against tumors and microbial pathogens. Here we show that RAE-1 is present in prediabetic pancreas islets of NOD mice and that autoreactive CD8(+) T cells infiltrating the pancreas express NKG2D. Treatment with a nondepleting anti-NKG2D monoclonal antibody (mAb) during the prediabetic stage completely prevented disease by impairing the expansion and function of autoreactive CD8(+) T cells. These findings demonstrate that NKG2D is essential for disease progression and suggest a new therapeutic target for autoimmune type I diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Antibodies / therapeutic use
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Division
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / prevention & control
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / prevention & control
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Islets of Langerhans / cytology
  • Islets of Langerhans / drug effects
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Klrk1 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Raet1a protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell