ABSTRACT
Objective To expand the NKT cells in vitro and to determine the cytokine releasing of NKT cells during proliferation.Methods Several kind of methods were established to expand TCRV ?24 +/TCRV ?11 + NKT cells from PBMC or purified T lymphocyte.The levels of IL 4,IFN ?and TNF ? of NKT cells were determined by flow cytometry.Results After 19 days' expansion,the largest number of NKT cells increased (23.0?16.7)?10 3 times and the largest ratio of NKT cells to total T lymphocyte was (25.5?7.2)%.The ratio of TCRV ?11 + NKT cells that secreted IL 4,IFN ?and TNF ? was higher than the TCRV?11 T lymphocytes.Conclusion TCRV ?24 +/TCRV ?11 + NKT cells can be expanded in vitro with ? Galcer presented by CD 1d molecule.The NKT cells can also be expanded from PBMC because the monocyte lineage cells within PBMC can express CD 1d molecule and present specific glycolipids like ? Galcer to them.