Exploring NKT cell and Perforin-mediated regulation of digit tip regeneration in both male and female adult mice
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 2022
Keywords
JMG
JAX Location
In: Student Reports, Summer 2022, The Jackson Laboratory
Sponsor
Zachery Beal and James Godwin, Ph.D.
Abstract
Amputated digit tip regeneration is critically regulated by the innate immune system. Innate lymphoid cells such as natural killer (NK) cells have been shown to inhibit regeneration through progenitor cell killing mechanisms. However, the role of upstream NK cell regulators such as natural killer T (NKT) cells has not been accurately described. We hypothesized that NKT cell activity would be affected by glycolipid antigen alpha-Galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer). Alpha-GalCer was injected into female immunocompetent mice at specific intervals leading up to third phalangeal element (P3) amputation. We also speculated Perforin (Prf1) cytotoxic signaling to be a method NK cells used that suppressed digit tip regeneration. P3 amputations of adult male and female Prf1 lacking immunocompetent mice were conducted. Microcomputed tomography (MicroCT) scanning allowed for analysis of hard and soft tissue of the amputated digit tips. We show that the Prf1 knockout was a negligible factor in digit tip regeneration and that a long-term alpha-GalCer injection regime led to hyporesponsiveness of NKT cells. This communication provides insights into the immunological regulation of adult mice regenerative responses which will guide future efforts to enhance repair in humans.
Recommended Citation
Greeley, Nina, "Exploring NKT cell and Perforin-mediated regulation of digit tip regeneration in both male and female adult mice" (2022). Summer and Academic Year Student Reports. 2693.
https://mouseion.jax.org/strp/2693