John Ortaldo and Robert Wiltrout of the National Cancer Institute have discovered that C12 beta-Dgalactosyl ceramide may be used to deplete or inactivate NKT cell populations. These findings suggest methods for using C12 beta-D-galactosyl ceramide to treat conditions that would benefit from depletion of NKT cells, such as certain autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus, multiple sclerosis) and AIDS. The presence of NKT cells can be associated with either beneficial effects or pathology. Deficiencies in NKT cells are associated with at least some types of autoimmune disease, including type 1 diabetes and autoimmune gastritis in mice. In contrast, NKT cells augment autoantibody secretion and lupus development in lupus-prone mouse models, and therefore lupus patients may benefit from the depletion of NKT cells. The remission state of multiple sclerosis is also associated with decreased levels of NKT cells, suggesting NKT cell depletion as a method of treatment for multiple sclerosis.
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More info: Jennifer Wong, 301-435-4633, wongje@mail.nih.gov
