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.