Characterization of the developmental landscape of murine RORγt+ iNKT cells. (30th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klibi, Jihene; Li, Shamin; Amable, Ludivine; Joseph, Claudine; Brunet, Stéphane; Delord, Marc; Parietti, Veronique; Jaubert, Jean; Marie, Julien; Karray, Saoussen; Eberl, Gerard; Lucas, Bruno; Toubert, Antoine; Benlagha, Kamel
• Is Part Of: International immunology. Volume 32:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2019-09-30
• Subjects: apoptosis -- emigration -- IL-17 -- iNKT17 -- TCR signal -- thymic selection; Immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxz064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-8178

Abstract

Abstract : Defining the development of iNKT17 cells Abstract: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells expressing the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and producing IL-17 represent a minor subset of CD1d-restricted iNKT cells (iNKT17) in C57BL/6J (B6) mice. We aimed in this study to define the reasons for their low distribution and the sequence of events accompanying their normal thymic development. We found that RORγt + iNKT cells have higher proliferation potential and a greater propensity to apoptosis than RORγt − iNKT cells. These cells do not likely reside in the thymus indicating that thymus emigration, and higher apoptosis potential, could contribute to RORγt + iNKT cell reduced thymic distribution. Ontogeny studies suggest that mature HSA low RORγt + iNKT cells might develop through developmental stages defined by a differential expression of CCR6 and CD138 during which RORγt expression and IL-17 production capabilities are progressively acquired. Finally, we found that RORγt + iNKT cells perceive a strong TCR signal that could contribute to their entry into a specific 'Th 17 like' developmental program influencing their survival and migration. Overall, our study proposes a hypothetical thymic developmental sequence for iNKT17 cells, which could be of great use to study molecular mechanisms regulating this developmental program.