title: B Cells Promote Th1- Skewed NKT Cell Response by CD1d-TCR Interaction.
abstract: CD1d expressing dendritic cells (DCs) are good glyco-lipid antigen presenting cells for NKT cells. However, resting B cells are very weak stimulators for NKT cells. Although α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) loaded B cells can activate NKT cells, it is not well defined whether B cells interfere NKT cell stimulating activity of DCs. Unexpectedly, we found in this study that B cells can promote Th1-skewed NKT cell response, which means a increased level of IFN-γ by NKT cells, concomitant with a decreased level of IL-4, in the circumstance of co-culture of DCs and B Cells. Remarkably, the response promoted by B cells was dependent on CD1d expression of B cells.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Se-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: B cells; Dendritic cells; NKT cells; α-galactosylceramide and Th1 response