Comparison of Invariant NKT Cells with Conventional T Cells by Using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA)

BACKGROUND Invariant Natural killer T (iNKT) cells, a distinct subset of CD1d-restricted T cells with invariant Vαβ TCR, functionally bridge innate and adaptive immunity. While iNKT cells share features with conventional T cells in some functional aspects, they simultaneously produce large amount of Th1 and Th2 cytokines upon T-cell receptor (TCR) ligation. However, gene expression pattern in two types of cells has not been well characterized. METHODS we performed comparative microarray analyses of gene expression in murine iNKT cells and conventional CD4(+)CD25(-)γδTCR(-) T cells by using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) method. RESULTS Here, we describe profound differences in gene expression pattern between iNKT cells and conventional CD4(+)CD25(-)γδTCR(-) T cells. CONCLUSION Our results provide new insights into the functional competence of iNKT cells and a better understanding of their various roles during immune responses.