Role of interferon-γ production in GVHD induction.

CD8⁺ NKT cells were expanded from different deficient and KO strains of animals on the C57BL/6 background as indicated. Cells (2 × 10⁷) were adoptively transferred into lethally irradiated (400 cGy ×2) Balb/c (H-2^d) mice rescued with 10⁷ BM derived from C57BL/6 (H-2^b) animals and monitored for signs and symptoms of GVHD (weight loss) and survival. Mean body weight (top panel) and overall survival (bottom panel) are presented. Results of IFN-γ KO animals are representative of 5 experiments. ▵ indicates XRT;, splenocytes; ⋄, IFN-γ; ■, IL-2; ○, gld; ▿, Ipr; and ✙, pfp.