β-mannosylceramide activates type I natural killer t cells to induce tumor immunity without inducing long-term functional anergy.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Most studies characterizing antitumor properties of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have used the agonist, α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). However, α-GalCer induces strong, long-lasting anergy of iNKT cells, which could be a major detriment for clinical therapy. A novel iNKT cell agonist, β-mannosylceramide (β-ManCer), induces strong antitumor immunity through a mechanism distinct from that of α-GalCer. The objective of this study was to determine whether β-ManCer induces anergy of iNKT cells.

Experimental design

Induction of anergy was determined by ex vivo analysis of splenocytes from mice pretreated with iNKT cell agonists as well as in the CT26 lung metastasis in vivo tumor model.

Results

β-ManCer activated iNKT cells without inducing long-term an

SUBMITTER: O'Konek JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3819527 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature