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Detection of Mouse Type I NKT (iNKT) Cells by Flow Cytometry

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Invariant Natural Killer T-Cells

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2388))

Abstract

Flow cytometry is an effective tool in immunology that uses laser as a light source to yield scattered and fluorescent light signals read by photomultiplier tubes or photodiodes for detection. Flow cytometry allows immunophenotyping using fluorescently conjugated antibodies for the identification of subgroups of immune cells at a single-cell level. Natural killer T (NKT) cells are CD1d-restricted T cells, which recognize lipid antigens, unlike conventional T lymphocytes that recognize peptide antigens presented by class I or class II MHC. The unique T cell receptor (TCR) of type I NKT or invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are comprised of an invariant α-chain that pairs with a limited repertoire of β-chains. Type I NKT cells play an essential role in the orchestration of the innate and adaptive immune responses against various diseases. Here, we will review the process of identifying mouse type I NKT cells by flow cytometry, which serves as a foundational technique for studying these cells.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Intramural Research Program of the NIH, NCI.

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Correspondence to Masaki Terabe .

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© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

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Joshi, V., Terabe, M. (2021). Detection of Mouse Type I NKT (iNKT) Cells by Flow Cytometry. In: Liu, C. (eds) Invariant Natural Killer T-Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2388. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1775-5_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1775-5_8

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-1774-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-1775-5

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