Distinct Effects of IL-18 on the Engraftment and Function of Human Effector CD8+ T Cells and Regulatory T Cells
2008

Effects of IL-18 on Human T Cells in Mice

Sample size: 6 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Carroll Richard G., Carpenito Carmine, Shan Xiaochuan, Danet-Desnoyers Gwenn, Liu Ronghua, Jiang Shuguang, Albelda Steven M., Golovina Tatiana, Coukos George, Riley James L., Jonak Zdenka L., June Carl H.

Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Does IL-18 affect the engraftment and function of human T cell subsets in xenograft mouse models?

Conclusion

IL-18 enhances the engraftment of human CD8+ T cells while decreasing regulatory T cells, leading to accelerated xenogeneic graft versus host disease.

Supporting Evidence

  • IL-18 increased the number of human CD8+ T cells in treated mice.
  • IL-18 decreased the number of regulatory T cells in all examined tissues.
  • IL-18 treatment led to accelerated onset of xenogeneic graft versus host disease.

Takeaway

IL-18 helps some immune cells grow but makes other important cells shrink, which can make the body react more strongly to foreign cells.

Methodology

The study used xenograft mouse models to assess the effects of IL-18 on human T cell subsets.

Limitations

The study was conducted in immune-deficient mice, which may not fully represent human responses.

Participant Demographics

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used from healthy volunteer donors.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003289

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