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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Interview: Glycolipid Antigen Presentation by CD1d and the Therapeutic Potential of NKT cell Activation
Published on: December 31, 2007
Glycolipid stimulators for NKT cells bearing invariant V alpha 19-J alpha 33 TCR alpha chains
1Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences, 11 Minamiooya, Macchida, Tokyo 194-8511, Japan. michio@ncnp.go.jp
Abstract:
Attempts have been made to find specific antigens for a novel NKT cell subset bearing invariant V alpha 19-J alpha 33 TCR alpha chains (V alpha 19 NKT cell). Comprehensive examinations revealed substantial antigenic activity in synthetic alpha-mannosylceramide (ManCer) that was presented by MR1. Structural modification of the sphingosine moiety of alpha-ManCer improved antigenic activity to enhance either Th1 or Th2 -promoting cytokine production by V alpha 19 NKT cells. Such alpha-ManCer analogues will be useful for developing new therapies as immunomodulators.
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