title: Engaging Natural Killer T Cells as 'Universal Helpers' for Vaccination.
abstract: Conventional vaccine adjuvants enhance peptide-specific T-cell and B-cell responses by modifying peptide stability or uptake or by binding to pattern-recognition receptors on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). This article discusses the application of a distinct mechanism of adjuvant activity: the activation of type I, or invariant, natural killer T (iNKT) cells to drive cellular and humoral immune responses. Using a semi-invariant T-cell receptor (TCR), iNKT cells recognize glycolipid antigens presented on cluster of differentiation (CD)-1d molecules. When their ligands are presented in concert with peptides, iNKT cells can provide T-cell help, 'licensing' APCs to augment peptide-specific T-cell and antibody responses. We discuss the potential benefits and limitations of exploiting iNKT cells as 'universal helpers' to enhance vaccine responses for the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 7060, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Speir
authors.affiliation: Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 7060, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand. ihermans@malaghan.org.nz.|School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand. ihermans@malaghan.org.nz.|Maurice Wilkins Centre, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. ihermans@malaghan.org.nz.
authors.forename: Ian F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Hermans
authors.affiliation: Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 7060, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand. rweinkove@malaghan.org.nz.|Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre, Wellington Hospital, Private Bag 7902, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand. rweinkove@malaghan.org.nz.|Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand. rweinkove@malaghan.org.nz.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weinkove
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D014612:Vaccines / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D006017:Glycolipids; D014612:Vaccines