Glycolipids as immunostimulating agents.
The processing and presentation of lipid antigens by antigen presenting cells (APC) is important for defense against infection, tumor immunosurveillance, and autoimmunity. CD1, a family of cell surface glycoproteins, is responsible for the binding and presentation of lipid antigens to receptors expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes. Among the several (glyco)lipids identified to cause T-cell stimulation in complex with CD1, alpha-galactosyl ceramide (alpha-GalCer) is one of the most well studied. A combination of structure-activity relationship (SAR), crystallographic studies, and discovery of new 'natural' antigens has led to greater understanding of the structural requirements for optimal natural killer T-cell activation.
Wu
Douglass
D
Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Fujio
Masakazu
M
Wong
Chi-Huey
CH
D000818:Animals; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000276:immunology; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D018448:Models, Immunological
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D005699:Galactosylceramides; D006017:Glycolipids