2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Elucidation of alternative developmental pathway of NKT cells from CD4/CD8 double-negative thymocytes
Project/Area Number |
24790490
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
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Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
Research Field |
Immunology
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Research Institution | Institute of Physical and Chemical Research |
Principal Investigator |
DASHTSOODOL Nyambayar 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 統合生命医科学研究センター, 研究員 (50443057)
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Project Period (FY) |
2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
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Keywords | NKT / 胸腺 / 分化経路 / CD1d |
Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Currently it is thought that NKT cells are generated from CD4/CD8 double-positive (DP) thymocytes by selection on CD1d, a process termed the DP pathway. However, it is still unknown whether NKT cells develop exclusively by the DP pathway in a manner closely resembling that of conventional T cells, or some alternatives to this pathway exist. Here we provide genetic evidences demonstrating the presence of an alternative developmental pathway of NKT cells from CD4/CD8 double-negative (DN) stage thymocytes that is before the DP stage by using the DP-specific Rag2 deletion and genetic fate-mapping mouse models. Furthermore, we found that NKT cells generated by the DN pathway possess characteristics of Th1-biased cytotoxic effector cells suggesting this developmental pathway gives rise preferentially to Th1-type NKT cells. Our present findings provide new insights in understanding the development of NKT cells in the thymus, which seems to be different from that of conventional T cells.
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Free Research Field |
免疫学
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