α-GalCer administration augments the activation of iNKT cells in OVA-induced asthmatic mice.

<p><b>A</b>. Timeline of the OVA immunization/challenge protocol and the names of the treatment groups (α-GalCer or PBS). Mice were sacrificed 24 h after the final challenge and the number and activity of iNKT cells was analyzed in the lung. <b>B</b>. Lung iNKT cells were confirmed by PBS/CD1d tetramers and TCR-β staining in asthmatic mice treated with α-GalCer or PBS using flow cytometry. The gating used for iNKT cells (gate D) and the corresponding percentages are shown in each dot plot. <b>C</b>. Percentage of iNKT cells in lung MNCs from asthmatic mice treated with α-GalCer or PBS. N = 5 per group and *<i>P</i> < 0.05. <b>D</b>. Lung iNKT cells producing IFN-γ and IL-4 from asthmatic mice treated with α-GalCer or PBS. PBS-57/CD1d and TCR-β double-positive cells were examined for IFN-γ (top) and IL-4 (bottom) secretion. Numbers in each dot plots indicate the percentage of positive cells. <b>E</b>. Percentage of IFN-γ- and IL-4-expressing lung iNKT cells from asthmatic mice treated with α-GalCer or PBS. N = 5 per group and **<i>P</i> < 0.01.