T-bet concomitantly controls migration, survival, and effector functions during the development of Valpha14i NKT cells.

ABSTRACT: Valpha14i natural killer T (NKT)-cell function has been implicated in a number of disease conditions. The molecular events that drive Valpha14i NKT-cell development remain elusive. We recently showed that T-bet is required for the terminal maturation of these cells. Here we identify some of the genetic targets of T-bet during Valpha14i NKT-cell lineage development. Microarray gene-expression analyses on developing Valpha14i NKT cells were performed and provide a molecular framework to study these maturation events. In vitro ectopic expression of T-bet in immature Valpha14i NKT cells, which do not yet express T-bet, was sufficient to promote Valpha14i NKT-cell maturation, driving the expression of multiple genes, including those that participate in migration, survival, and effector function

SUBMITTER: Matsuda JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1895373 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature