Regulation of tumor immunity: the role of NKT cells.
BACKGROUND
Tumor immunosurveillance is a part of the dynamic process of interaction between abnormal cells and the host immune system. Tumor immunosurveillance is actively and continuously regulated in both positive and negative ways. Natural killer T (NKT) cells are cells that have been shown to play a role in both positive and negative regulation of tumor immunosurveillance. Recent studies suggest that NKT cells are a heterogeneous cell population with multiple subsets with distinct functions.


OBJECTIVE
This review discusses the functions of those NKT cell subsets in regulating tumor immunity and potential interactions or counter-regulation among the NKT cell subsets.


METHODS
Selected literature is reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Manipulation of the balance among those subsets may provide new modes of intervention for tumor immunotherapy.
Ambrosino
Elena
E
National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Molecular Immunogenetics and Vaccine Research Section, Vaccine Branch, NIH, Building 10/Room 6B12, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Berzofsky
Jay A
JA
Terabe
Masaki
M
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000276:immunology; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008215:Lymphocytes, Null / Q000276:immunology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D005699:Galactosylceramides; D008055:Lipids; C493154:alpha-galactosylceramide