Mechanism of Premature Apoptosis in CD1d-Restricted Natural Killier T Cells From Human Peripheral Blood During the Induction of Proliferation In Vitro.

Objective A preliminary investigation on the proliferation and cultivation process of natural killer T cells (NKT) was carried out. We provide reference data for future NKT-related research and development. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy people and were induced by α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). The phenotypic changes of the cells and the activation and apoptosis of Caspase-3 were recorded for 3–4 weeks. Results The proliferation of the NKT cells continued for approximately 3 weeks, and then apoptosis started to occur. The activity of Caspase-3 was maintained at a high level from the second week. The responses of individual human NKT cells to α-GalCer stimulation differed significantly. Conclusion The proliferation of the NKT cells continued for approximately 3 weeks, and then apoptosis Semiconstitutively started to occur. The activity of Caspase-3 was maintained at a high level from the second week. The responses of individual human NKT cells to α-GalCer stimulation differed significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]