NKT cells: In the beginning...
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells as we know them today are a unique subset of mature T cells co-expressing a semi-invariant Valpha14/Vbeta8 TCR and surface markers characteristic of NK cells. The semi-invariant TCR on iNKT cells recognizes glycolipids bound to monomorphic CD1d molecules, leading to rapid cytokine production. The purpose of this historical perspective is to describe how a series of seemingly unrelated findings in the late 1980s and early 1990s crystallized in the discovery of iNKT cells. The story is told from a personal viewpoint, with a particular effort to place both breakthroughs and misinterpretations in the context of their era.
Macdonald
H Robson
HR
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland. hughrobson.macdonald@isrec.unil.ch
D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000266:history*; D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell