A molecular analysis of NKT cells: identification of a class-I restricted T cell-associated molecule (CRTAM)

cDNA library subtraction techniques were used to identify transcripts expressed by activated mouse alphabetaTCR+ CD4-CD8- (double-negative; DN) T cells, a subset of natural killer T (NKT) cells. The most frequent cDNAs identified included the chemokines TCA3, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), MIP-1beta, and lymphotactin (LPTN), the cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and a granzyme. We also identified a new member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (Ig-SF). This molecule was designated class I-restricted T cell-associated molecule (CRTAM) as a result of its restricted expression pattern in T cells. Human CRTAM was also identified, and shares the same expression pattern as the mouse molecule. LPTN and CRTAM exhibit the same expression pattern in T cells, suggesting the existence of a gene expression program common to class I-MHC-restricted T cells.