NKT cell

NKT cell

Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are a unique subset of lymphocytes that exhibit characteristics of both T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells. They are known for their ability to rapidly produce a large amount of cytokines upon activation, which allows them to play a crucial role in various immune responses.

Function

NKT cells are involved in a variety of immune responses due to their ability to produce both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. They can influence the immune response by acting on other immune cells such as dendritic cells, B cells, and NK cells. NKT cells are also involved in the regulation of autoimmunity, tumor surveillance, and the immune response to pathogens.

Types

There are two main types of NKT cells: Type I and Type II. Type I NKT cells, also known as invariant NKT cells (iNKT), express a semi-invariant T cell receptor (TCR) and recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d. Type II NKT cells have a more diverse TCR repertoire and recognize a different set of lipid antigens.

Activation

NKT cells are activated by the presentation of lipid antigens by CD1d, a non-classical Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecule. Upon activation, NKT cells rapidly produce a large amount of various cytokines, which allows them to influence the immune response.

Clinical significance

Due to their role in the immune response, NKT cells have been implicated in a variety of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. They are also being explored as a potential target for immunotherapy.

See also

• T cell
• Natural Killer cell
• Cytokines
• Immune response
• Autoimmunity
• Cancer
• Infectious diseases