Inhibitory effect of IL-16 on allergic diseases

本研究旨在探讨CD8~+T细胞产生的IL-16在接触性皮炎中的作用。由IL-16缺陷的CD8^+T细胞重组的RAG-2缺陷小鼠表现出严重的晚期炎症反应，大多数小鼠在注射半抗原后7天左右死亡。IL-16缺陷的CD8~+T细胞转导Rag2缺陷小鼠血清中IL-17A浓度显著升高。血清谷草转氨酶活性升高，白蛋白/球蛋白比值降低。提示CD8~+T细胞产生的IL-16在接触性皮炎的晚期反应中起抑制作用，提示CD8~+调节性T细胞存在免疫调节机制。

This study aims to examine the role of IL-16 produced by CD8^+ T cells in contact dermatitis. Rag-2-deficient mice reconstituted with IL-16-deficient CD8^+ T cells exhibited severe late-phase inflammatory response and most of mice died around 7 days after hapten application. IL-17A concentration was significantly elevated in sera of IL-16-deficient CD8^+ T cells-transferred Rag2-deficient mice. In addition, increase of GOT activity and decrease of albumin/globulin ratio were observed in sera of these mice. These results indicate that IL-16 produced by CD8^+ T cells plays an inhibitory role in late-phase reaction of contact dermatitis, suggesting the existence of immunomodulatory mechanism by CD8^+ regulatory T cells.