title: Distinct gene expression patterns correlate with developmental and functional traits of iNKT subsets.
abstract: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells comprise a subpopulation of innate lymphocytes developing in thymus. A new model proposes subdividing murine iNKT cells into iNKT1, 2 and 17 cells. Here, we use transcriptome analyses of iNKT1, 2 and 17 subsets isolated from BALB/c and C57BL/6 thymi to identify candidate genes that may affect iNKT cell development, migration or function. We show that Fcɛr1γ is involved in generation of iNKT1 cells and that SerpinB1 modulates frequency of iNKT17 cells. Moreover, a considerable proportion of iNKT17 cells express IL-4 and IL-17 simultaneously. The results presented not only validate the usefulness of the iNKT1/2/17-concept but also provide new insights into iNKT cell biology.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Street 1, Hannover D-30625, Germany.
authors.forename: Hristo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1369-960X
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Georgiev
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Street 1, Hannover D-30625, Germany.
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ravens
authors.affiliation: Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Freisestrasse 1, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Charaf
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2049-7769
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benarafa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Street 1, Hannover D-30625, Germany.
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Förster
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Street 1, Hannover D-30625, Germany.
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000378:metabolism; D015843:Serpins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; C522950:Serpinb1a protein, mouse; D015843:Serpins