Immune Network  2013;13(5):218-221

doi:10.4110/in.2013.13.5.218

B Cells Promote Th1- Skewed NKT Cell Response by CD1d-TCR Interaction.

Jung Hoon SHIN 1 ; Se Ho PARK

Affiliations

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Keywords

B cells; Dendritic cells; NKT cells; alpha-galactosylceramide and Th1 response

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

CD1d expressing dendritic cells (DCs) are good glyco-lipid antigen presenting cells for NKT cells. However, resting B cells are very weak stimulators for NKT cells. Although alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) loaded B cells can activate NKT cells, it is not well defined whether B cells interfere NKT cell stimulating activity of DCs. Unexpectedly, we found in this study that B cells can promote Th1-skewed NKT cell response, which means a increased level of IFN-gamma by NKT cells, concomitant with a decreased level of IL-4, in the circumstance of co-culture of DCs and B Cells. Remarkably, the response promoted by B cells was dependent on CD1d expression of B cells.