Dicer-dependent microRNA pathway controls invariant NKT cell development

J Immunol. 2009 Aug 15;183(4):2506-12. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901361. Epub 2009 Jul 22.

Abstract

Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells are a separate lineage of T lymphocytes with innate effector functions. They express an invariant TCR specific for lipids presented by CD1d and their development and effector differentiation rely on a unique gene expression program. We asked whether this program includes microRNAs, small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally and play a key role in the control of cellular differentiation programs. To this aim, we investigated iNKT cell development in mice in which Dicer, the RNase III enzyme that generates functional microRNAs, is deleted in cortical thymocytes. We find that Dicer deletion results in a substantial reduction of iNKT cells in thymus and their disappearance from the periphery, unlike mainstream T cells. Without Dicer, iNKT cells do not complete their innate effector differentiation and display a defective homeostasis due to increased cell death. Differentiation and homeostasis of iNKT cells require Dicer in a cell-autonomous fashion. Furthermore, we identify a miRNA profile specific for iNKT cells, which exhibits features of activated/effector T lymphocytes, consistent with the idea that iNKT cells undergo agonist thymic selection. Together, these results define a critical role of the Dicer-dependent miRNA pathway in the physiology of iNKT cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics*
  • Endoribonucleases / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / immunology*
  • Growth Inhibitors / genetics
  • Lymphopenia / enzymology
  • Lymphopenia / genetics
  • Lymphopenia / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / cytology
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / enzymology*
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / immunology*
  • Ribonuclease III
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / enzymology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / enzymology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology

Substances

  • Growth Inhibitors
  • MicroRNAs
  • Endoribonucleases
  • Dicer1 protein, mouse
  • Ribonuclease III
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases