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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
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Purification and Expansion of Mouse Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for in vitro and in vivo Studies
Published on: February 15, 2021
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Generation of Human iNKT Cell Lines.
Xiangming Li1, Moriya Tsuji1, Jonathan Schneck2
1HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, USA.
Bio-Protocol
|August 30, 2016
Summary
This study details a method for generating and expanding primary human invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. This protocol supports research into iNKT cell therapies for diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Therapeutic Development
Background:
- Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are crucial immunoregulatory cells.
- iNKT cells are activated by lipid antigens via CD1d, unlike conventional T cells recognizing peptide-MHC complexes.
- Reduced iNKT cell numbers are observed in cancer and autoimmune diseases, highlighting their therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a protocol for generating and propagating primary human iNKT cells.
- To facilitate further research and therapeutic applications of iNKT cells.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of primary iNKT cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
- Expansion of iNKT cells using irradiated alpha-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer)-loaded autologous immature dendritic cells (DC).
- Inclusion of human interleukin-2 (IL-2) to support cell propagation.
Main Results:
- Successful generation and propagation of primary human iNKT cells using the described method.
- The protocol provides a reproducible means to obtain sufficient iNKT cells for study.
Conclusions:
- The described method enables the expansion of human iNKT cells.
- This protocol is vital for advancing the characterization and therapeutic use of iNKT cells in clinical settings.
