MIP-2 recruits NKT cells to the spleen during tolerance induction

Peripheral tolerance occurs after intraocular administration of Ag and is d ependent on an increase in splenic NKT cells. New data here show that macro phage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) is selectively up-regulated in toleran ce-conferring APCs and serves to recruit NKT cells to the splenic marginal zone, where they form clusters with APCs and T cells. In the absence of the high-affinity receptor for MIP-2 las in CXCR2-deficient mice) or in the pr esence of a blocking Ab to MIP-2, peripheral tolerance is prevented, and Ag -specific T regulatory cells are not generated. Understanding the regulatio n of lymphocyte traffic during tolerance induction may lead to novel therap ies for autoimmunity, graft acceptance, and tumor rejection.