Altered NKT cell populations in LckCrePten^flox/flox mice. (A-B) Decreased numbers of NK1.1⁺TCRβ⁺ cells in LckCrePten^flox/flox mice. (A) MNCs were isolated from the thymus, spleen, and liver of mice of the indicated genotypes, and NK1.1⁺TCRβ⁺ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Numbers within the panels indicate the relative percentages of NK1.1⁺TCRβ⁺ cells in total lymphocyte populations. (B) Absolute numbers of the NK1.1⁺TCRβ⁺ cells in panel A. (C-E) Altered maturation and numbers of Vα14iNKT cells. (C, left panel, and D) The percentage of Vα14iNKT cells in total MNCs is normal in the thymus of LckCrePten^flox/flox mice but decreased in spleen and liver. (C, right panel, and E) Stage 2 (CD44⁺NK1.1⁻) Vα14iNKT cells were increased, but stage 3 (CD44⁺NK1.1⁺) cells were decreased in the thymus of LckCrePten^flox/flox mice. The percentages of NKT subsets in αGalCer-CD1d⁺TCRβ⁺-gated thymocytes (C, right panel) and in total MNCs in thymus (E) are shown. For panels B, D, and E, results are expressed as the mean ± SEM for 3 mice per group. **P < .01.