Elucidation of the novel developmental pathway of NKT cells from thymic CD4, CD8-double-negative precursors

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The presently held opinion, called "mainstream model of development", proposes that the NKT cells are developed after CD4, CD8-double-positive(DP) thymocytes. However, we have reported previously about identification of NKT cell precursors in the double-negative 4(DN4) stage of development that is before reaching DP stage, indicating NKT cells arise from earlier stage. Here, we characterized NKT precursor cells in DN4 stage by single cell sorting and qRT-PCR analysis, and also role of CD1d in the development of NKT cells by using NKT-cloned mice with CD1d-deficient background. Better understanding of developmental aspects of NKT cell lineage will hopefully lead to the development of more efficient clinical intervention methods to fight various immune-compromised diseases.