title: NKT cell immune responses to viral infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a heterogeneous population of innate T cells that have attracted interest because of their potential to regulate immune responses to a variety of pathogens. The most widely studied NKT cell subset is the invariant (i)NKT cells that recognize glycolipids in the context of the CD1d molecule. The multifaceted methods of activation iNKT cells possess and their ability to produce regulatory cytokines has made them a primary target for studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To give insights into the roles of iNKT cells during infectious diseases, particularly viral infections. We also highlight mechanisms leading to iNKT cell activation in response to pathogens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  iNKT cell's versatility allows them to detect and respond to several viruses. Therapeutic approaches to specifically target iNKT cells will require additional research. Notably, the roles of non-invariant NKT cells in response to pathogens warrant further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Brown University, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Providence, USA.
authors.forename: Marlowe S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tessmer
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fatima
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paget
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trottein
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brossay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D055610:Antigens, CD1d / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D016207:Cytokines; D006017:Glycolipids