Abstract
NKT cells are true T cells that serve as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune system, acting as first responders. They recognize lipid antigens rather than peptides, and respond to these when presented by a non-classical class I MHC molecule, CD1d. NKT cells can play a pathogenic role in asthma or a protective role against several autoimmune diseases, in part based on their cytokine profile. In cancer, they can play opposite roles, contributing to anti-tumor immunity or suppressing it. The protective NKT cells were found to be primarily type I NKT cells defined by use of a semi-invariant T cell receptor involving Vα14Jα18 in mice and Vα24Jα18 in humans and responding to α-galactosylceramide, and the most protective were among the minority that are CD4-. The suppressive NKT cells were found to be CD4+ and to be primarily type II NKT cells, that have diverse T-cell receptors and respond to other lipids. Further, the type I and type II NKT cells were found to counter-regulate each other, forming a new immunoregulatory axis. This axis may have broad implications beyond cancer, as NKT cells play a role in steering other adaptive immune responses. The balance along this axis could affect immunity to tumors and infectious diseases and responses to vaccines.
Keywords: NKT cells, tumor immunity, immunosurveillance, immunoregulation, α-galactosylceramide, cancer, IL-13, TGF-β
Current Molecular Medicine
Title: The Contrasting Roles of NKT Cells in Tumor Immunity
Volume: 9 Issue: 6
Author(s): Jay A. Berzofsky and Masaki Terabe
Affiliation:
Keywords: NKT cells, tumor immunity, immunosurveillance, immunoregulation, α-galactosylceramide, cancer, IL-13, TGF-β
Abstract: NKT cells are true T cells that serve as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune system, acting as first responders. They recognize lipid antigens rather than peptides, and respond to these when presented by a non-classical class I MHC molecule, CD1d. NKT cells can play a pathogenic role in asthma or a protective role against several autoimmune diseases, in part based on their cytokine profile. In cancer, they can play opposite roles, contributing to anti-tumor immunity or suppressing it. The protective NKT cells were found to be primarily type I NKT cells defined by use of a semi-invariant T cell receptor involving Vα14Jα18 in mice and Vα24Jα18 in humans and responding to α-galactosylceramide, and the most protective were among the minority that are CD4-. The suppressive NKT cells were found to be CD4+ and to be primarily type II NKT cells, that have diverse T-cell receptors and respond to other lipids. Further, the type I and type II NKT cells were found to counter-regulate each other, forming a new immunoregulatory axis. This axis may have broad implications beyond cancer, as NKT cells play a role in steering other adaptive immune responses. The balance along this axis could affect immunity to tumors and infectious diseases and responses to vaccines.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Berzofsky A. Jay and Terabe Masaki, The Contrasting Roles of NKT Cells in Tumor Immunity, Current Molecular Medicine 2009; 9 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652409788970706
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652409788970706 |
Print ISSN 1566-5240 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5666 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Polyphenolic Coumpounds in Chemoprevention of Colon Cancer - Targets and Signaling Pathways
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Many Roles of Chemokine Receptors in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Emerging New Therapeutical Strategies
Current Medicinal Chemistry Effect of Tetracyclines on IgE Allergic Responses and Asthma
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Recent Findings on the Application of Toll-like Receptors Agonists in Cancer Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Acupuncture and Asthma: Ancient Technique that Survives Advances in Medicine
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Advances of Knowledge on Allergic Inflammation and the Oral Mucosa
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Umbilical IgE and Advanced Glycation Products in Association with Allergies in Childhood
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Ginkgo biloba Extract in Vascular Protection: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications
Current Vascular Pharmacology COPD Phenotypes and Biomarkers: Introducing Personalised Medicine
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Immunity to Tuberculosis and Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Clinical Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Drugs (Discontinued) Inflammasomes as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Potential Targets for Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergic Activities of Marine Algae: An Overview
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Potential of Naringenin: A Citrus Flavonoid of Pharmaceutical Promise
Current Pharmaceutical Design Novel Formulations for Oral Allergen Vaccination
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Mucoadhesive Patches of Salbutamol Sulphate for Unidirectional Buccal Drug Delivery: Development and Evaluation
Current Drug Delivery Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists and Thromboxane Synthase Inhibitors: New Targets to Treat Asthma
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents Autoantibody Reaction to Myelin Basic Protein by Plasma Parvovirus B19 IgG in MS Patients
Protein & Peptide Letters Pharmacological Perspectives of Ayurvedic Herbs <i>viz. Alstonia scholaris</i> L., <i>Picrorhiza kurroa, Swertia chirata</i> and <i>Caesalpinia crista</i> Against COVID- 19: A Mini-Review
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry Mast Cell Stabilizers in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic Targeting of Type 2 Inflammation for the Treatment of Severe Asthma
Clinical Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Drugs (Discontinued)