[A novel immune system].
We found a novel lymphoid cell lineage, V alpha 14 NKT cell, which is characterized by 1) the expression of both NK1.1 (NK receptor) and an invariant TCR encoded by V alpha 14 and J alpha 281 gene segments; 2) the expression of unusual phenotypes, such as NK1.1+, B220+, Mac-1+, HSA+, CD44+, CD45Rlow and MEL-14low; and 3) the extrathymic development: V alpha 14 NKT cells appear at d9.5 of gestation before thymus development. Moreover, the deletion of the invariant V alpha 14 TCR gene expression caused the lack of NKT cells in vivo, while transgene of the invariant V alpha 14 V beta 8 TCR in the RAG-deficient background resulted in the generation of only V alpha 14 NKT cells without other lymphoid cells. These results indicate the essential requirement of invariant V alpha 14 TCR for the development of NKT cells. Recent studies clearly show that V alpha 14 NKT cells, but not NK cells or T cells are the primary target of IL-12 in the IL-12-mediated tumor rejection.
Taniguchi
M
M
Division of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine Chiba University.
Sato
H
H
Cui
J
J
Kawano
T
T
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000502:physiology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic
D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin