Abstract
CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells play important regulatory roles in various immune responses. NKT cell-derived T helper (Th) 1 cytokines are important in the induction of antitumor immune responses in mice. Because the CD1d-restricted Vα24+ Vβ11+ NKT cell population in cancer patients is decreased both in size and in its capacity to secrete IFN-γ, therapeutic strategies based on reconstitution of type 1 polarized Vα24+ Vβ11+ NKT cells merit additional investigation. Here, we report the simultaneous strong expansion and type 1 polarization of human invariant Vα24+ Vβ11+ NKT cells using α-galactosylceramide-loaded type 1 dendritic cells and interleukin 15. Type 1 polarized Vα24+ Vβ11+ NKT cells produced high levels of IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor α, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and induced strong cytotoxicity in Jurkat cells in an α-galactosylceramide-dependent manner. Importantly, the cytokine profile of Vα24+ Vβ11+ NKT cells that were initially expanded under Th2 polarizing conditions could be reversed to a Thl cytokine profile, indicating the plasticity of the cytokine profile of the human adult Vα24+ Vβ11+ NKT cell population.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4101-4106 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Cancer research |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 14 |
State | Published - Jul 15 2003 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research