Physiology and potential application of NKT cells: a minireview.
CD1d-restricted T (NKT) cells are potent regulators of autoimmunity, tumor immunity, and transplantation-related immunity. NKT cells are a subset of innate lymphocytes that recognize endogenous or exogenous glycolipids in the context of CD1d molecules. Recent progress in the research of NKT cells has proved that NKT cells function as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity in anticancer immunity. Furthermore, NKT cells also function as a bridge to tolerance or rejection of grafts in organ transplantation. Harnessing the function of NKT cells, and trying to put it into clinical application in the treatment of autoimmune disease, anticancer cell immunotherapy, and organ transplantation are the dreams of immunologists. This minireview will focus on the physiology of NKT cells and potential clinical application.
Yeh
Jiun-Yih
JY
Department of Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Yen
Ming-Shien
MS
Lo
Wei-Yu
WY
Chao
Kuan-Chong
KC
Yuan
Chiou-Chung
CC
Juang
Chi-Mou
CM
D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D055610:Antigens, CD1d / Q000378:metabolism; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000502:physiology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D055610:Antigens, CD1d