Glycolipid stimulators for NKT cells bearing invariant V alpha 19-J alpha 33 TCR alpha chains.
Attempts have been made to find specific antigens for a novel NKT cell subset bearing invariant V alpha 19-J alpha 33 TCR alpha chains (V alpha 19 NKT cell). Comprehensive examinations revealed substantial antigenic activity in synthetic alpha-mannosylceramide (ManCer) that was presented by MR1. Structural modification of the sphingosine moiety of alpha-ManCer improved antigenic activity to enhance either Th1 or Th2 -promoting cytokine production by V alpha 19 NKT cells. Such alpha-ManCer analogues will be useful for developing new therapies as immunomodulators.
Shimamura
M
M
Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences, 11 Minamiooya, Macchida, Tokyo 194-8511, Japan. michio@ncnp.go.jp
D000818:Animals; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008358:Mannose / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D006017:Glycolipids; D008024:Ligands; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D008358:Mannose