Transcription factor Bcl11b controls selection of invariant natural killer T-cells by regulating glycolipid presentation in double-positive thymocytes.

ABSTRACT: Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) are innate-like T cells important in immune regulation, antimicrobial protection, and anti-tumor responses. They express semi-invariant T cell receptors, which recognize glycolipid antigens. Their positive selection is mediated by double-positive (DP) thymocytes, which present glycolipid self-antigens through the noncanonical MHC class I-like molecule CD1d. Here we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that removal of the transcription factor Bcl11b in DP thymocytes leads to an early block in iNKT cell development, caused by both iNKT cell extrinsic and intrinsic defects. Specifically, Bcl11b-deficient DP thymocytes failed to support Bcl11b-sufficient iNKT precursor development due to defective glycolipid self-antigen presentation, and showe

SUBMITTER: Albu DI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3076841 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature