title: The Role of Natural Killer T Cells in Acute Kidney Injury: Angel or Evil?
abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is manifested by inflammation, and an early feature in the pathogenesis is the accumulation of immune cells in the kidney. Natural killer T (NKT) cells, a peculiar T cells subtype, serve as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Due to the difference between type I and type II subsets, NKT cells were supposed to play a dual role in IR-related tissue injury. Furthermore, membrane receptors and clinical immunosuppressive agents remain involved in the modulation of NKT cell function. Therefore, regulation of the amount and viability of NKT cells becomes a potential strategy in amelioration of AKI. This review will highlight the recent insights gained into the role and mechanisms of NKT cells in AKI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai 200032. China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai 200032. China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032. China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D055610:Antigens, CD1d / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D007378:Interleukins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: NKT cells; acute kidney injury; angel or evil; immunity; inflammation; pathogenesis