Injection of the immuno-modulatory drug α-galactosylceramide results in the recruitment of a large population of antigen-presenting cells into the liver of C57BL/6 mice

Abstract Injection of the immuno-modulatory drug α-galactosylceramide into C57BL/6 mice leads to the already known apoptosis of natural killer T (NKT) cells and to thus far undescribed large changes in the leukocyte populations of the liver. These changes are characterized by the recruitment of neutrophils and that of a population of large monocytic cells. The latter cells display the morphological and immunological features of natural suppressor cells. Their recruitment in the liver depends on the presence of NKT cells, most probably through the local release of cytokines and chemokines by activated NKT cells. We discuss the ubiquitous, long-term effects of α-galactosylceramide injection on immuno-pathological processes mediated through the NKT-triggered recruitment of a subset of large macrophages/monocytes.