NKT cell networks in the regulation of tumor immunity.
CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells lie at the interface between the innate and adaptive immune systems and are important mediators of immune responses and tumor immunosurveillance. These NKT cells uniquely recognize lipid antigens, and their rapid yet specific reactions influence both innate and adaptive immunity. In tumor immunity, two NKT subsets (type I and type II) have contrasting roles in which they not only cross-regulate one another, but also impact innate immune cell populations, including natural killer, dendritic, and myeloid lineage cells, as well as adaptive populations, especially CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells. The extent to which NKT cells promote or suppress surrounding cells affects the host's ability to prevent neoplasia and is consequently of great interest for therapeutic development. Data have shown the potential for therapeutic use of NKT cell agonists and synergy with immune response modifiers in both pre-clinical studies and preliminary clinical studies. However, there is room to improve treatment efficacy by further elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying NKT cell networks. Here, we discuss the progress made in understanding NKT cell networks, their consequent role in the regulation of tumor immunity, and the potential to exploit that knowledge in a clinical setting.
Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA.
Faith C
FC
Robertson
Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA.
Jay A
JA
Berzofsky
Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD , USA.
Masaki
M
Terabe
NKT cell; NKT cell subsets; immune network; immune regulation; tumor immunology