Open AccessThe Transcriptional Repressor Gfi1 Plays a Critical Role in the Development of NKT1- and NKT2-Type iNKT Cells
Author(s) -
Toshiaki Yasuoka,
Makoto Kuwahara,
Takeshi Yamada,
Saho Maruyama,
Junpei Suzuki,
Masaru Taniguchi,
Masaki Yasukawa,
Masakatsu Yamashita
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0157395
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cell growth , cell , cellular differentiation , haematopoiesis , immunology , stem cell , gene , genetics
Gfi1 plays an important role in the development and maintenance of many hematopoietic linage cells. However, the impact of Gfi1 -deficiency on the iNKT cell differentiation remains unclear. We herein demonstrate a critical role of Gfi1 in regulating the development of iNKT cell subsets. In the thymus of T cell-specific Gfi1 -deficient mice, iNKT cells normally developed up to stage 2, while the number of stage 3 NK1.1 pos iNKT cells was significantly reduced. Furthermore, CD4 pos iNKT cells were selectively reduced in the peripheral organs of T cell-specific Gfi1 -deficient mice. The α-GalCer-dependent production of IFN-γand Th2 cytokines, but not IL-17A, was severely reduced in T cell-specific Gfi1 -deficient mice. In addition, a reduction of the α-GalCer-induced anti-tumor activity was observed in Gfi1 -deficient mice. These findings demonstrate the important role of Gfi1 in regulating the development and function of NKT1- and NKT2-type iNKT cell subsets.