Recognition of CD1d-restricted antigens by natural killer T cells

Jamie Rossjohn, Daniel G Pellicci, Onisha G Patel, Laurent Gapin, Dale I Godfrey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

348 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like T cells that rapidly produce a variety of cytokines following T cell receptor (TCR) activation and can shape the immune response in many different settings. There are two main NKT cell subsets: type I NKT cells are typically characterized by the expression of a semi-invariant TCR, whereas the TCRs expressed by type II NKT cells are more diverse. This Review focuses on the defining features and emerging generalities regarding how NKT cells specifically recognize self, microbial and synthetic lipid-based antigens that are presented by CD1d. Such information is vitally important to better understand, and fully harness, the therapeutic potential of NKT cells.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)845 - 857
Number of pages13
JournalNature Reviews Immunology
Volume12
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

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