Activation of a Nonclassical NKT Cell Subset in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

• Published in: Immunity (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 2002-04, Vol.16 (4), p.583-594
• Main Authors: Baron, Jody L, Gardiner, Leon, Nishimura, Stephen, Shinkai, Kanade, Locksley, Richard, Ganem, Don
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adoptive Transfer; Animals; Antigens, CD1 - immunology; Antigens, CD1d; Antigens, Viral - genetics; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Galactosylceramides - immunology; Hepatitis B - immunology; Hepatitis B e Antigens - genetics; Hepatitis B virus - genetics; Hepatitis B virus - immunology; Hepatitis B, Chronic - immunology; Homeodomain Proteins - genetics; Humans; Immune system; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Liver; Liver - cytology; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Male; Medical research; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Transgenic; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - immunology; Rodents; Spleen - cytology; T cell receptors; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Transgenes; Virus Replication
• ISSN: 1074-7613; 1097-4180
• DOI: 10.1016/S1074-7613(02)00305-9

NKT cells are specialized cells of the immune system that bear both T cell and NK cell markers. Classical NKT cells display TCRs of restricted heterogeneity (Vα14-Jα281) and recognize lipid antigens (e.g., α-galactosyl ceramide) presented by nonpolymorphic CD1 molecules. Recently, other nonclassical NKT subsets have been recognized, including NKT cells not reactive with CD1d-α-galactosyl ceramide complexes. The biological functions of these cells are unknown. Here, we show that nonclassical NKT cells that are CD1d restricted but nonreactive to α-GalCer are activated in response to hepatocytes expressing hepatitis B viral antigens in a transgenic mouse model of acute hepatitis B virus infection. Our results document the first in vivo function for such nonclassical NKT cells and suggest a role for these cells in the host response to HBV infection.