| First Author | Baron JL | Year | 2002 |
| Journal | Immunity | Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 4 | Pages | 583-94 |
| PubMed ID | 11970881 | Mgi Jnum | J:113520 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3686916 | Doi | 10.1016/s1074-7613(02)00305-9 |
| Citation | Baron JL, et al. (2002) Activation of a nonclassical NKT cell subset in a transgenic mouse model of hepatitis B virus infection. Immunity 16(4):583-94 |
| abstractText | 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 (Valpha14-Jalpha281) and recognize lipid antigens (e.g., alpha-galactosyl ceramide) presented by nonpolymorphic CD1 molecules. Recently, other nonclassical NKT subsets have been recognized, including NKT cells not reactive with CD1d-alpha-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 alpha-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. |
