Gene expression signatures of iNKT-subpopulations sorted from thymus of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Mus musculus

iNKT cells can be classified based on functional criteria into iNKT1, iNKT2 and iNKT17 cells, respectively. Here, a protocol was applied allowing sorting of living cells from thumus of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. The obtained gene expression profiles confirmed already existing information regarding the iNKT subtypes and will therefore provide useful hints for further investigations. Overall design: Samples of iNKT1, iNKT2 and iNKT17 cells were obtained in two completely independent flow cytometric sorts for both, (BALB/c) and (C57BL/6). As a source, cells from thymi from 5 to 6 female mice were prepared for each sort. Moreover, iNKT1 cells from BALB/c thymus were sorted into CD4(lo-int) and CD4 (int-hi) fractions.