title: iNKT cells control mouse spontaneous carcinoma independently of tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are a subset of T lymphocytes endowed with innate effector functions that aid in the establishment of adaptive T and B cell immune responses. iNKT cells have been shown to play a spontaneous protective role against experimental tumors. Yet, the interplay between iNKT and tumor-specific T cells in cancer immune surveillance/editing has never been addressed. The transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) is a realistic model of spontaneous oncogenesis, in which the tumor-specific cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response undergoes full tolerance upon disease progression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report here that lack of iNKT cells in TRAMP mice resulted in the appearance of more precocious and aggressive tumors that significantly reduced animal survival. TRAMP mice bearing or lacking iNKT cells responded similarly to a tumor-specific vaccination and developed tolerance to a tumor-associated antigen at comparable rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hence, our data argue for a critical role of iNKT cells in the immune surveillance of carcinoma that is independent of tumor-specific CTL.
authors.affiliation: Cellular Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellone
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ceccon
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grioni
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jachetti
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calcinotto
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Napolitano
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freschi
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casorati
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dellabona
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D055610:Antigens, CD1d / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D055610:Antigens, CD1d