The presence of CD8+ invariant NKT cells in mice

Hyunji Lee, Changwan Hong, Junghoon Shin, Soohwan Oh, Sundo Jung, Yoon Kyung Park, Seokmann Hong, Gap Ryol Lee, Se Ho Park

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    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 Vα14+ transgenic mice, where the Vα14 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 α-galactosylceramide. Unlike conventional iNKT cells, CD8+ iNKT cells produce predominantly IFN-γ 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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)866-872
    Number of pages7
    JournalExperimental and Molecular Medicine
    Volume41
    Issue number12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009 Dec 31

    Keywords

    • Antigens, CD1d
    • CD8-positive T-lymphocytes
    • Mice, transgenic
    • Natural killer T-cells
    • α-galactosylceramide

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular Medicine
    • Molecular Biology
    • Clinical Biochemistry

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