Vα14i NK T cell activation in response to MCMV is independent of IFN-αβ and IL-12.

<p><i>A and B</i>, Hepatic leukocytes were isolated from MCMV infected or vehicle treated B6, IL-12p40^−/−, and IFNα/βR1^−/− mice at 20 and 40hrs post-infection and the Vα14i NK T cell compartment was analyzed by staining with TCR-β and α-GalCer-loaded CD1d tetramer. The percentage of Vα14i NK T cells in the liver of B6, IL-12p40^−/−, and IFNα/βR1^−/− mice, uninfected and at indicated time points post-infection is shown in <i>B</i> as average±SD. <i>C</i>, Hepatic Vα14i NK T cells were analyzed for the surface expression of CD25 at 20 and 40 hrs p.i. compared to vehicle treated B6, IL-12p40^−/−, and IFNα/βR1^−/− mice. The MFI of CD25 expression on the Vα14i NK T cells is shown as average±SD. Results shown are representative of 2 to 5 independent experiments.