This thesis investigated the number and function of natural killer T-cells (NK T-cells) as a function of age, in coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. NK T-cells are a newly appreciated class of immune cells that are able to regulate the activity of the broader T-cell population. NK T-cells have been implicated in animal models of autoimmune disease and in human autoimmune disease. A subset of NK cells express the T-cell receptor (TCR) and are termed NK T-cells. In humans a further small subset of NK T-cells express an invariant TCR α chain (Vα24Jα18) and contain the immunoregulatory cell population that is distinguished from classical T-cells by promptly producing interleukin-4 (IL-4). Invariant NK T-cells (iNK T-cells) have the surface phenotype of Vα24+ Vβ11+ T-cells and express CD161+ NK markers. They are CD4+ (single positive; SP) or CD4- (double negative; DN), CD1d restricted and are α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) reactive. NKT cells have been implicated in numerous autoimmune disorders. Early work showed a major deficiency of NKT cell numbers in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, a well-established model of spontaneous, autoimmune T-cell mediated insulin-dependent diabetes. Both the number of NKT cells and function, as assessed by IL-4 release following TCR ligation, are dramatically reduced in NOD mice. NK T-cells have been implicated in other models of autoimmunity such as, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). They have since been investigated and shown to be deficient in a number of human autoimmune diseases including, systemic sclerosis (SSc), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis, atopic asthma, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus and scleroderma. The basis of the work presented within this thesis originated from the deficiency of NK T-cells in models of autoimmune diseases and human autoimmune diseases. The initial aim of this thesis was to investigate the phenotype and function of Vα24+ NK T-cells in normal healthy control subjects and with respect to age. The original aim was to investigate whether NK cells, T-cells, NK T-like cells and invariant NK T-cells (iNK T-cells) are deficient in coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and/or ulcerative colitis. Blood was collected for flow cytometry from normal control subjects, subjects with coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The number of circulating NK cells, T-cells, NK T-like cells and iNK T-cells was assessed by three-colour flow cytometry. Intracellular cytokine production was measured after in vitro anti-CD3/ anti-CD28 antibodies, gluten fraction 3 and PMA:ionomycin stimulation. Vα24+ T-cells were quantified in ileocolonic biopsies by immunofluorescence and as mRNA by relative and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The number of circulating Vα24+ T-cells and iNK T-cells decrease with age in normal healthy control subjects. Cytokine production was also affected by age. The work of this thesis has identified a subpopulation of otherwise normal healthy individuals whom have normal numbers of circulating Vα24+ T-cells, reduced numbers of circulating Vα24+ Vβ11+ T-cells and consequently iNK Tcells. Circulating CD161+ NK cells, Vα24+ T-cells and the SP subset of Vα24+ Tcells were reduced in coeliac disease. The low numbers of circulating Vα24+ T-cells was independent of diet. The number of circulating Vα24+ Vβ11+ Tcells were reduced in coeliac disease, and as a consequence, the number of circulating Vα24+ Vβ11+ α-GalCer/CD1d tetramer+ and Vα24+ 6B11+ iNK T-cells were reduced. The deficiency of Vα24+ T-cells was not confined to the blood, but observed within the intestinal mucosa. Intestinal Vα24 mRNA expression from subjects with coeliac disease was reduced compared to levels in normal subjects as assessed by relative and RT-PCR. Thus, Vα24+ T-cells were deficient in coeliac disease both systemically and mucosally. Cytokine production by Vα24+ T-cells, 6B11+ and Vα24+ α-GalCer/CD1d tetramer+ iNK T-cells after 4 h in vitro anti-CD3 stimulation was also impaired in subjects with coeliac disease. Circulating CD56+, CD57+, CD94+, CD161+ NK cells were reduced in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Vα24+ T-cells and the SP subset of Vα24+ T-cells were reduced in Crohn’s disease but not in ulcerative colitis. Circulating Vα24+ Vβ11+ T-cells, Vα24+ Vβ11+ α-GalCer/CD1d tetramer+ and Vα24+ 6B11+ iNK T-cells were deficient in both Cohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The deficiency of Vα24+ T-cells was also observed within the intestinal mucosa. Intestinal Vα24 mRNA expression from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis was reduced compared to levels in normal subjects as assessed by relative and RT-PCR. Cytokine production by Vα24+ T-cells, 6B11+ and Vα24+ α-GalCer/CD1d tetramer+ iNK T-cells after 4 h in vitro anti-CD3 stimulation was impaired for subjects with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In summary, Vα24+ T-cell number and function were affected by age. Further investigations are warranted to see if deficiency of this immunoregulatory population is associated with disease. The decrease and dysfunction in immunoregulatory cells, Vα24 T-cells and iNK T-cells could contribute to the pathogenesis of coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are polygenetic diseases in which environmental factors play a significant role in disease development and state. The reduced numbers of iNK T-cell along with their impaired function may only be two factors. Presumably, other factors are involved. Nevertheless, iNK T-cells offer a potential target for the therapeutic intervention of coeliac disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1345088 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2008

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / The primary aim of this thesis was to identify probiotics and/or prebiotics with the potential to reduce the severity of experimental colitis. The specific aims were to i) screen a range of candidate pro biotic strains for capacity to reduce symptoms of DSS-colitis, ii) characterize the effects of DSS within the small intestine, iii) assess, in vitro, the effect of probiotics on intestinal epithelial cell integrity, iv) assess the potential for the prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide, to reduce the severity of DSS-colitis alone, and in synbiotic combination with a probiotic strain. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1280844 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, 2007

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / The primary aim of this thesis was to identify probiotics and/or prebiotics with the potential to reduce the severity of experimental colitis. The specific aims were to i) screen a range of candidate pro biotic strains for capacity to reduce symptoms of DSS-colitis, ii) characterize the effects of DSS within the small intestine, iii) assess, in vitro, the effect of probiotics on intestinal epithelial cell integrity, iv) assess the potential for the prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide, to reduce the severity of DSS-colitis alone, and in synbiotic combination with a probiotic strain. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1280844 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, 2007

Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Univ., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-74). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 2009. / Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Division of Developmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, 2009. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-112). Also issued on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2004. / "May 2004." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-112). Also issued on the Internet.