NKT Cell-Derived RANTES Recruits APCs and CD8+ T Cells to the Spleen During the Generation of Regulatory T Cells in Tolerance

The induction of peripheral tolerance via immune privileged sites such as the eye requires splenic colocalization of NKT cells and CD1d(+) tolerogenic F4/80(+) APCs, both of which are needed for the generation of CD8(+)-regulatory T (Tr) cells. Whereas tolerogenic APCs secrete the chemokine macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 for the purpose of recruiting NKT cells, the signals responsible for recruiting potential Tr cells and additional APCs to the spleen are not known. Here we examined the ability of CD1d-stimulated NKT cells to produce chemokines that can recruit other cells needed for tolerance. Our results show that NKT cells stimulated by either CD1d-transfected fibroblasts in vitro or CD1d(+) tolerogenic APCs both in vivo and ex vivo produced RANTES in a CD1d-dependent manner. The requirement for RANTES in tolerance was demonstrated by studies in which RANTES blockade in vivo prevented not only APC accumulation in the spleen but also the generation of CD8(+) Tr cells that suppress Th1 immunity. Thus, CD1d-restricted NKT cells provide critical signals for orchestrating the accumulation of cells needed for tolerance induction. These data expand our current knowledge of RANTES beyond its role in Th1 immune responses to show its importance in tolerance induction and add a novel aspect to our understanding of the role of NKT cells in tolerance. Understanding the precise mechanisms involved in tolerance induction may lead to more effective therapeutic strategies for autoimmunity and graft rejection.