NKT cells are phenotypically and functionally diverse

Abstract

NK1.1+αβTCR+ (NKT) cells have several important roles including tumor rejection and prevention of autoimmune disease. Although both CD4+ and CD4-CD8- double-negative (DN) subsets of NKT cells have been identified, they are usually described as one population. Here, we show that NKT cells are phenotypically, functionally and developmentally heterogeneous, and that three distinct subsets (CD4+, DN and CD8+) are differentially distributed in a tissue-specific fashion. CD8+ NKT cells are present in all tissues but the thymus, and are highly enriched for CD8α+β- cells. These subsets differ in their expression of a range of cell surface molecules (Vβ8, DX5, CD69, CD45RB, Ly6C) and in their ability..