Gene expression profiling of CD244+CXCR6+ C2 iNKT cell subet and CD244-CXCR6+ C1 iNKT cell subset

We identified a novel subset of iNKT cells, C2 iNKT cells, that circulate in the periphery. Correspondingly, we characterized the tissue-resident iNKT cell subset, C1 iNKT cells. The development and terminal maturation of C2 iNKT cells completely depended on the thymic epithelial IL-15 niche, whereas C1 iNKT cells were regulated also by local IL-15 niches in peripheral tissues. C2 iNKT cells expressed high levels of genes related to cytotoxicity and exhibited more NK cell-like features. Functionally, C2 iNKT cells regulated self-antigen expression for immune tolerance in the thymus and mediated cancer immunosurveillance in the periphery. Overall design: Examination one hundred of each subset of iNKT cells freshly sorted from thymus and lung of mice at 6 weeks