Dataset Information

Identification of CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative natural killer T cell precursors in the thymus.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: It is well known that CD1d-restricted Valpha14 invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells are derived from cells in the CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive (DP) population in the thymus. However, the developmental progression of NKT cells in the earlier stages remains unclear, and the possible existence of NKT cell presursors in the earlier stages than DP stage remains to be tested. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we demonstrate that NKT cell precursors that express invariant Valpha14-Jalpha18 transcripts but devoid of surface expression of the invariant Valpha14 receptor are present in the late CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative (DN)4 stage and have the potential to generate mature NKT cells in both in vivo and in vitro experimental conditions. Moreover, the DN4 population in CD1d knock-out (CD1dKO) mice was similar to those with an NKT cell potential in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 (B6) mice, but failed to develop into NKT cells in vitro. However, these precursors could develop into NKT cells when co-cultured with normal thymocytes or in an in vivo experimental setting, indicating that functional NKT cell precursors are present in CD1dKO mice. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these results demonstrate that thymic DN4 fraction contains NKT cell precursors. Our findings provide new insights into the early development of NKT cells prior to surface expression of the invariant Valpha14 antigen receptor and suggest the possible alternative developmental pathway of NKT cells.

SUBMITTER: Dashtsoodol N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2577011 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Identification of CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative natural killer T cell precursors in the thymus.

Dashtsoodol Nyambayar N Watarai Hiroshi H Sakata Sakura S Taniguchi Masaru M

PloS one 20081110 11

<h4>Background</h4>It is well known that CD1d-restricted Valpha14 invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells are derived from cells in the CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive (DP) population in the thymus. However, the developmental progression of NKT cells in the earlier stages remains unclear, and the possible existence of NKT cell presursors in the earlier stages than DP stage remains to be tested.<h4>Principal findings</h4>Here, we demonstrate that NKT cell precursors that express invariant Valpha14-Ja ...[more]

PMID: 18997862

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND/AIMS:Chronic natural killer lymphocytosis (CNKL) has been associated with systemic autoimmunity; however, its association with scleritis or ocular autoimmunity has not been characterised. The natural killer (NK) cell function and immunophenotype of a patient with CNKL who developed bilateral scleritis and multiple systemic autoimmune findings were evaluated. METHODS:The ophthalmic records of a patient with CNKL and scleritis were reviewed over a 6-year period. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate T cell, NK and B cell populations. NK cellular functions (ie, NK cytotoxicity and cytokine/chemokine production following interleukin 2 (IL2) stimulation) were evaluated. RESULTS:A 56-year-old woman with vitiligo, psoriatic arthritis, thyroiditis, erythema nodosum, bilateral anterior scleritis and Sjogren syndrome was managed with multiple immunosuppressive medications, including prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil and methotrexate. Flow cytometry showed a persistent elevation of CD56(+)CD3(-) NK cells greater than 40%, which was consistent with CNKL. NK cell cytotoxicity assay identified a deficiency of K562 cell lysis in the patient (1.46 mean-fold greater in control vs patient). NK cytokine/chemokine production following IL2 stimulation was also deficient (2.5-32.5-fold greater in control). Cytokines/chemokines assessed included pro-inflammatory (interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL1, monocyte chemotactic protein 1) and immunoregulatory cytokines (IL4, IL5 and IL10). An abnormal elevation of TCRalpha/beta(+) CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells suggestive of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome was observed; however, apoptosis dysfunction was not found. CONCLUSION:The association of increased but dysfunctional NK cells in the context of multiple systemic and ocular manifestations suggests a role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of our patient's disease. Further studies regarding NK cell dysfunction and ocular autoimmunity are needed.

Project description:Understanding the mechanisms that help promote protective immune responses to pathogens is a major challenge in biomedical research and an important goal for the design of innovative therapeutic or vaccination strategies. While natural killer (NK) cells can directly contribute to the control of viral replication, whether, and how, they may help orchestrate global antiviral defense is largely unknown. To address this question, we took advantage of the well-defined molecular interactions involved in the recognition of mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) by NK cells. By using congenic or mutant mice and wild-type versus genetically engineered viruses, we examined the consequences on antiviral CD8 T cell responses of specific defects in the ability of the NK cells to control MCMV. This system allowed us to demonstrate, to our knowledge for the first time, that NK cells accelerate CD8 T cell responses against a viral infection in vivo. Moreover, we identify the underlying mechanism as the ability of NK cells to limit IFN-alpha/beta production to levels not immunosuppressive to the host. This is achieved through the early control of cytomegalovirus, which dramatically reduces the activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) for cytokine production, preserves the conventional dendritic cell (cDC) compartment, and accelerates antiviral CD8 T cell responses. Conversely, exogenous IFN-alpha administration in resistant animals ablates cDCs and delays CD8 T cell activation in the face of NK cell control of viral replication. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the ability of NK cells to respond very early to cytomegalovirus infection critically contributes to balance the intensity of other innate immune responses, which dampens early immunopathology and promotes optimal initiation of antiviral CD8 T cell responses. Thus, the extent to which NK cell responses benefit the host goes beyond their direct antiviral effects and extends to the prevention of innate cytokine shock and to the promotion of adaptive immunity.

Project description:The role of conventional TCR??+CD4+ or TCR??+CD8?+ single-positive (sp) T lymphocytes in adaptive immunity is well-recognized. However, non-conventional T cells expressing TCR?? or TCR?? but lacking CD4 and CD8? expression [i.e., CD4-CD8?- double-negative (dn) T cells] are thought to play a role at the interface between the innate and adaptive immune system. Dn T cells are frequent in swine, cattle or sheep and predominantly express TCR??. In contrast, TCR??+ T cells are rare in dogs. In this study, we identified a high proportion of canine dn T cells in the TCR??+ T cell population of PBMC, lymphatic and non-lymphatic organs. In PBMC, the frequency of this T cell subpopulation made up one third of the frequency of TCR??+CD4+ sp, and almost half of the frequency of TCR??+CD8?+ sp T cells (i.e., ~15% of all TCR??+ T cells). Among TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cells of PBMC and tissues, FoxP3+ cells were identified indicating regulatory potential of this T cell subset. 80% of peripheral blood FoxP3+TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cells co-expressed CD25, and, interestingly, also the FoxP3-negative TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cells comprised ~34% CD25+ cells. Some of the FoxP3-positive TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cells co-expressed GATA-3 suggesting stable function of regulatory T cells. The frequency of GATA-3 expression by FoxP3-TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cells was even higher as compared with TCR??+CD4+ sp T cells (20.6% vs. 11.9%). Albeit lacking FoxP3 and CD25 expression, TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cells also expressed substantial proportions of GATA-3. In addition, TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cells produced IFN-? and IL-17A upon stimulation. T-bet and granzyme B were only weakly expressed by both dn T cell subsets. In conclusion, this study identifies two dn T cell subsets in the dog: (i) a large (~7.5% in Peyer's patches, ~15% in lung) population of TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cells with subpopulations thereof showing an activated phenotype, high expression of FoxP3 or GATA-3 as well as production of IFN-? or IL-17A and (ii) a small TCR??+CD4-CD8?- dn T cell subset also expressing GATA-3 without production of IFN-? or IL-17A. It will be exciting to unravel the function of each subset during immune homeostasis and diseases of dogs.

Dataset Information

Identification of CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative natural killer T cell precursors in the thymus.

Publications

Identification of CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative natural killer T cell precursors in the thymus.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets