iCD8α Cell-Deficiency Increases Susceptibility to Intestinal Inflammation in the Anti-CD40 Antibody Colitis Model

iCD8α cells constitute a population of innate immune cells present in close association with intestinal epithelial cells. Our previous work showed that iCD8α cells play a critical role during immune responses in the intestinal mucosa. For example, iCD8α cells are relevant for conferring protection against Citrobacter rodentium colonization of the colon. However, little is known about the possible role of iCD8α cells during inflammatory processes of the intestines. Using the anti-CD40 antibody model of colitis, we show that mice with reduced numbers of iCD8α cells (H2-T3^-/-Rag-2^-/-) lose more weight, have higher mortality and present more colon damage than mice with sufficient iCD8α cell numbers (Rag-2^-/-). Moreover, we show that iCD8α cell-deficient mice have higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-6 and osteopontin production in the colon. These results indicate that iCD8α cell-deficiency has a substantial effect on inflammatory processes of the intestines