title: Physiology and potential application of NKT cells: a minireview.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jiun-Yih
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Ming-Shien
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Wei-Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Kuan-Chong
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Chiou-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Chi-Mou
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Juang
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D055610:Antigens, CD1d