The presence of CD8+ invariant NKT cells in mice.
10.3858/emm.2009.41.12.092
- Author:
Hyunji LEE
1
;
Changwan HONG
;
Junghoon SHIN
;
Soohwan OH
;
Sundo JUNG
;
Yoon Kyung PARK
;
Seokmann HONG
;
Gap Ryol LEE
;
Se Ho PARK
Author Information
1. School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea. sehopark@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
antigens, CD1d;
CD8-positive T-lymphocytes;
alpha-galactosylceramide;
mice, transgenic;
natural killer T-cells
- MeSH:
Animals;
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/*immunology/metabolism;
Galactosylceramides/immunology;
Interferon-gamma/immunology;
Interleukin-4/immunology;
Mice;
Mice, Inbred C57BL;
Mice, Transgenic;
Natural Killer T-Cells/*immunology/metabolism;
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/*genetics;
Transgenes
- From:Experimental & Molecular Medicine
2009;41(12):866-872
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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.
