摘要 |
The present invention provides a superior method of functional analysis of NKT cells, which enables function analysis of low frequency NKT cells, is independent of the function of autologous APCs, and can avoid an influence of secondary factors and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of functional analysis of human NKT cells including (a) cocultivating a mononuclear cell derived from human peripheral blood with a CD1d-expressing antigen presenting cell derived from a heterologous animal, and (b) evaluating the functionality of NKT cells with the number of NKT cells and/or a substance specific to functional NKT cells as an index; a reagent for analysis of human NKT cells containing a CD1d-expressing antigen presenting cell derived from a heterologous animal; a kit containing (a) a CD1d-expressing antigen presenting cell derived from a heterologous animal, and (b) at least one reagent selected from the group consisting of a reagent for selection of human mononuclear cell, a reagent for measurement of the number of human NKT cells and a reagent for measurement of a substance specific to human functional NKT cells; and the like. |