CD1d1 mutant mice are deficient in natural T cells that promptly produce IL-4.
Murine CD1 has been implicated in the development and function of an unusual subset of T cells, termed natural T (NT) cells, that coexpress the T cell receptor (TCR) and the natural killer cell receptor NK1.1. Activated NT cells promptly produce large amounts of IL-4, suggesting that these cells can influence the differentiation of CD4+ effector T cell subsets. We have generated mice that carry a mutant CD1d1 gene. NT cell numbers in the thymus, spleen, and liver of these mice were dramatically reduced. Activated splenocytes from mutant mice did not produce IL-4, whereas similarly treated wild-type splenocytes secreted large amounts of this cytokine. These results demonstrate a critical role for CD1 in the positive selection and function of NT cells.
Mendiratta
S K
SK
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
Martin
W D
WD
Hong
S
S
Boesteanu
A
A
Joyce
S
S
Van Kaer
L
L
D000818:Animals; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E