Identification of liver‐specific CD24+ invariant NK T cells with low granzyme B production and high proliferative capacity.

Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells are innate‐like lymphocytes that can recognize the lipid Ag presented by MHC I like molecule CD1d. Distinct tissue distribution of iNKT cells subsets implies a contribution of these subsets to their related tissue regional immunity. iNKT cells are enriched in liver, an organ with unique immunological properties. Whether liver‐specific iNKT cells exist and dedicate to the liver immunity remains elusive. Here, a liver‐specific CD24+ iNKT subset is shown. Hepatic CD24+ iNKT cells show higher levels of proliferation, glucose metabolism, and mTOR activity comparing to CD24– iNKT cells. Although CD24+ iNKT cells and CD24– iNKT cells in the liver produce similar amounts of cytokines, the hepatic CD24+ iNKT cells exhibit lower granzyme B production. These liver‐specific CD24+ iNKT cells are derived from thymus and differentiate into CD24+ iNKT in the liver microenvironment. Moreover, liver microenvironment induces the formation of CD24+ conventional T cells as well, and these cells exhibit higher proliferation ability but lower granzyme B production in comparison with CD24– T cells. The results propose that liver microenvironment might induce the generation of liver‐specific iNKT subset that might play an important role in maintaining liver homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]