Invariant NKT cells are required for antitumor responses induced by host-versus-graft responses

Based on clinical observations, we have previously shown in a murine model that recipient leukocyte infusion (RLI) induces a host-versus-graft reaction in mixed bone marrow chimeras and that rejection of donor cells leads to a specific antitumor response against recipient malignancies. This response is dependent on T cells and IFN-gamma. We investigated the role of NKT cells (NKTs) in this phenomenon. Depletion of recipient NK1.1(+) cells led to loss of an anti-tumor effect induced by RLI in mixed bone marrow chimeras. In recipients specifically lacking host invariant NKT cells (iNKTs), RLI did not induce an antitumor effect, indicating a critical role for recipient iNKTs. Conversely, specific activation of iNKTs enhanced the anti-tumor effect induced by RLI. Following RLI, recipient iNKTs, NK cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and CD8 T cells were activated. CD8 T cells were the major producers of IFN-gamma. Lack of recipient iNKTs resulted in failure of activation of NK cells and DCs by RLI. Our studies demonstrate a central role for iNKTs in promoting RLI-induced anti-tumor effects and suggest that this pathway involved promotion of the activation of recipient NK cells and DCs.