A critical role of costimulation during intrathymic development of invariant NK T cells

Yeonseok Chung, Roza Nurieva, Eiji Esashi, Yi Hong Wang, Dapeng Zhou, Laurent Gapin, Chen Dong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

CD1d-restricted Vα14+ invariant NK T (iNKT) cells are a specialized αβ T cell subset that regulates both innate and adaptive immunity. Although costimulatory molecules are required for the activation of conventional T cells and for the development of Foxp3+ T cells, their role in iNKT cell regulation is unclear. Here we report that mice deficient in CD80/CD86 and/or B7h exhibit severe defects in thymic iNKT cell maturation, associated with largely reduced iNKT cell number in the thymus and the periphery. We show that costimulation is necessary for the optimal expansion of postselected NK1.1- immature iNKT cells in the thymus and for the proper expression of the maturation markers T-bet and CD122. Surprisingly, costimulatory molecules on both hemopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells are required for iNKT cell development. Our results thus demonstrate a previously unknown function of costimulation in the intrathymic development of iNKT cells, distinct from that of conventional T cells and regulatory T cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2276-2283
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume180
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Research Animal Support Facility

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