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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
07:12
Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
Published on: April 16, 2015
T Cell subsets for therapy-unconventional CD1d-restricted natural killer T cells
Monika Holubová1, Valentina Sofia Caputo Galarce2, Miroslava Čedíková3
1Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic; Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Pilsen, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Advances in Pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.)
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells bridge innate and adaptive immunity. Harnessing iNKT cells offers promising next-generation cancer therapies with reduced toxicity and potential for allogeneic use.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Unconventional T cells like invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are crucial for host defense and immune regulation.
- iNKT cells link innate and adaptive immunity by recognizing lipid antigens via CD1d molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of iNKT cell biology, function, and therapeutic potential.
- To discuss the role of iNKT cells in various pathological conditions, including cancer, infectious diseases, and transplantation.
- To summarize current and emerging clinical strategies for harnessing iNKT cells in immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of iNKT cell development, heterogeneity, and activation mechanisms.
- Detailed analysis of iNKT cell involvement in disease pathogenesis.
- Summary of clinical approaches: in vivo activation, adoptive transfer, and CAR-engineered iNKT cells.
Main Results:
- iNKT cells exhibit potent anti-tumor activity and immune-orchestrating capabilities.
- iNKT cells play significant roles in immune regulation, tolerance, infectious diseases, and transplantation.
- Emerging iNKT-based therapies show potential advantages over conventional CAR-T approaches.
Conclusions:
- CD1d-restricted NKT cells represent a promising target for next-generation immunotherapies.
- Harnessing iNKT cells offers novel therapeutic avenues for cancer and other diseases.
- Further research is essential to fully realize the therapeutic potential of iNKT cells.
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