title: NKT cells and HIV infection.
abstract: Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a subset of lymphocytes that express a semi-invariant T cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes glycolipids presented by the non-polymorphic MHC class I-like molecule CD1d. NKT cells regulate a wide variety of immune functions against autoantigens and pathogens. Recently, it was shown that NKT cells are targeted by HIV-1 and selectively lost in HIV-infected individuals. This review will focus on the mechanisms, consequences and therapeutic implications of these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, 21st ave South, Medical Center North, Room: AA-5206, Nashville, TN 37232-2363, USA. derya.unutmaz@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Derya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Unutmaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*