Molecular profiling reveals distinct functional attributes of CD1d-restricted natural killer (NK) T cell subsets.
CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells can have multiple effects on an immune response, including the activation, regulation and attraction of innate immune cells, and modulation of adaptive immunity. Recent studies reveal that there are distinct subsets of NKT cells which selectively perform some of the functions attributed to CD1d-restricted cells, but the mechanisms underlying these functional differences have not been resolved. Our aim in this study was to identify novel NKT cell associated traits that would provide important insight into NKT cell activation and function. To this end, we have performed gene expression profiling of two separate subsets of NKT cells, analyzing genes differentially expressed in these cells compared to conventional CD4(+)NK1.1(-) T cells. We identify different sets of genes over expressed in each of the two NKT cell types, as well as genes that are common to the two CD1d-restricted NKT cell populations analyzed. A large number of these genes are highly relevant for NKT cell development, activation and function. Each NKT subtype displayed a unique set of chemokine receptors, integrins and molecules related to effector function, supporting the notion that distinct NKT cells can be selectively engaged and have diverse functions in different types of immune reactions.
Rolf
Julia
J
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Göteborg University, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
Berntman
Emma
E
Stenström
Martin
M
Smith
Emma M K
EM
Månsson
Robert
R
Stenstad
Hanna
H
Yamagata
Tetsuya
T
Agace
William
W
Sigvardsson
Mikael
M
Cardell
Susanna L
SL
D000818:Animals; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D016207:Cytokines; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D014157:Transcription Factors