Costimulatory activation of murine invariant natural killer T cells by toll-like receptor agonists

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are glycolipid-reactive lymphocytes with anti-microbial properties. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-primed antigen-presenting cells are known to activate iNKT cells, however, the expression and function of TLRs in iNKT cells remain largely unknown. Here, we show that TCR-activation of murine iNKT cells by α-GalactosylCeramide (α-GalCer) or anti-CD3 antibodies can result in increased expression of TLR genes. TLR3, 5 and 9-mediated costimulation of TCR-preactivated iNKT cells resulted in enhancement of iNKT cell activation, as determined by their cytokine production. Expression of TLR3 and 9 at protein level was also confirmed in TCR-activated iNKT cells. Furthermore, TCR-preactivation followed by TLR9-costimulation of iNKT cells increased their ability to induce maturation of dendritic cells. Thus, our findings show that iNKT cells can up-regulate their TLR expression upon TCR activation and a subsequent TLR-signaling in these cells can lead to their enhanced activation, suggesting a new possible mode of iNKT cell activation.

► Stimulation of invariant natural killer T cells results in up-regulation of Toll-like receptors.
► TLR agonist treatment of iNKT cells activates these cells.
► Treatment with TLR ligands increases iNKT cell ability to induce DC maturation.