The presence of CD8+ invariant NKT cells in mice
Experimental & Molecular Medicine
;
: 866-872, 2009.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-202560
ABSTRACT
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells develop in the thymus upon recognition of CD1d expressed on developing thymocytes. Although CD4 and CD8 coreceptors are not directly involved in the interaction between CD1d and the T cell receptors (TCRs) of iNKT cells, a conspicuous lack of CD8+ iNKT cells in mice raised the question of whether CD8+ iNKT cells are excluded due to negative selection during their thymic development, or if there is no lineage commitment for the development of murine CD8+ iNKT cells. To address this question, we analyzed iNKT cell-specific TCR Valpha14+ transgenic mice, where the Valpha14 transgene forces the generation of iNKT cells. This allows detailed study of the iNKT cell repertoire. We were able to identify CD8+ iNKT cells which respond to the NKT cell-specific glycolipid ligand alpha-galactosylceramide. Unlike conventional iNKT cells, CD8+ iNKT cells produce predominantly IFN-gamma but not IL-4 upon antigen stimulation. We also confirmed the presence of CD8+ iNKT cells in wild type mice. Our results suggest that CD8+ NKT cells do exist in mice, although their population size is quite small. Their Th1-skewed phenotype might explain why the population size of this subtype needs to be controlled tightly.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Mice, Transgenic
/
Interleukin-4
/
Interferon-gamma
/
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
/
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
/
Transgenes
/
Natural Killer T-Cells
/
Galactosylceramides
/
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Experimental & Molecular Medicine
Year:
2009
Type:
Article
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