Stem Cell Factor (Scf) Can Regulate the Activation and Expansion of Murine Intraepithelial Lymphocytes

Author: Wang T.   Langley K.E.   Gourley W.K.   Klimpel G.R.  

Publisher: Academic Press

ISSN: 1043-4666

Source: Cytokine, Vol.12, Iss.3, 2000-03, pp. : 272-280

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Abstract

Murine intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) express c-kit, the receptor for stem cell factor (SCF). SCF induced a low but significant proliferative response in IEL, but not in splenic T cells. SCF stimulation of IEL resulted in an expansion of the c-kit+, TCRγδ+cell population. SCF-induced proliferation was dependent upon SCF–c-kit interactions, since antibody to c-kit blocked this response, and IEL obtained from c-kit mutant (W/Wv) mice failed to respond to SCF. SCF acted synergistically with anti-TCRγδ and with concavalin A (Con A) to induce proliferation and interferon γ (IFN-γ) production in IEL. Finally, mice injected with SCF had a significant increase in the number of IEL in the small intestine. SCF-treated mice had increased numbers of TCRαβ+and TCRγδ+cell populations, as well as increased numbers of c-kit+and c-kit-IEL. These data suggest that SCF–c-kit interactions play an important role in regulating IEL expansion and activation.

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