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iNKT cell autoreactivity: what is 'self' and how is it recognized?
1Integrated Department of Immunology, University of Colorado Denver and National Jewish Health, 80206, USA. gapinl@njhealth.org
Nature Reviews. Immunology
|March 13, 2010
Summary
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are crucial innate immune cells. This review explores their self-reactivity, proposing that self lipids play a key role in iNKT cell selection and autoreactivity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Innate Immunity
Background:
- Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are innate immune cells that rapidly release cytokines upon activation.
- They play a critical role in modulating immune responses.
- iNKT cells recognize diverse microbial glycolipid antigens via their T cell receptor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell autoreactivity.
- To propose the involvement of self lipids in iNKT cell positive selection and autoreactivity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on iNKT cell function and activation.
- Analysis of iNKT cell recognition of self-lipids.
- Hypothesis generation regarding the role of self lipids in iNKT cell development.
Main Results:
- Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells exhibit reactivity towards self-antigens in addition to microbial ones.
- Several endogenous self lipids are potential ligands for the iNKT cell T cell receptor.
- Autoreactivity is a feature observed in iNKT cell populations.
Conclusions:
- Self lipids are likely involved in the positive selection of iNKT cells during thymic development.
- Autoreactivity of iNKT cells may be influenced by recognition of self lipids.
- Understanding iNKT cell autoreactivity is crucial for their role in immune responses.
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