Critical Role for Very-Long Chain Sphingolipids in Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Development and Homeostasis

Ashish Saroha, Yael Pewzner-Jung, Natalia S. Ferreira, Piyush Sharma, Youenn Jouan, Samuel L. Kelly, Ester Feldmesser, Alfred H. Merrill, Francois Trottein, Christophe Paget, Karl S. Lang, Anthony H. Futerman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The role of sphingolipids (SLs) in the immune system has come under increasing scrutiny recently due to the emerging contributions that these important membrane components play in regulating a variety of immunological processes. The acyl chain length of SLs appears particularly critical in determining SL function. Here, we show a role for very-long acyl chain SLs (VLC-SLs) in invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell maturation in the thymus and homeostasis in the liver. Ceramide synthase 2-null mice, which lack VLC-SLs, were susceptible to a hepatotropic strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which is due to a reduction in the number of iNKT cells. Bone marrow chimera experiments indicated that hematopoietic-derived VLC-SLs are essential for maturation of iNKT cells in the thymus, whereas parenchymal-derived VLC-SLs are crucial for iNKT cell survival and maintenance in the liver. Our findings suggest a critical role for VLC-SL in iNKT cell physiology.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1386
Number of pages14
JournalFrontiers in Immunology
Volume8
Issue numberNOV
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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