Abstract
Introduction: Invariant NKT cells are (iNKTs) a rare T cell subset interacting with the cells of innate and adaptive immunity able to support both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. The decrease of the iNKTs level was seen to be associated with cancer, GvHD or infections. The application of ex vivo expanded iNKTs seems to be promising to regulate all most severe transplant complications in one shot.
Methods: We cultured healthy donors iNKTs with the presence of C1R-CD1d, KRN700 and IL-15, and defined the basic characteristics: proportion of CD4 and CD8 cells, expression of CD62L, NKG2D (function markers) or checkpoint molecules (PD1, BTLA, LAG-3, TIM-3). Moreover, we compared the culture with IL15 or IL2+IL15. Then, we tested the cytotoxic potential against cell lines (AML, lymphoma, myeloma) stained with CFSE and immunomodulatory capacity after addition to phytohemagglutinin stimulated T-cells by determination of CD25 expression (MFI=median fluorescence intensity).