Natural killer T cells: natural or unnatural regulators of autoimmunity?

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique lymphocyte subtype implicated in the regulation of autoimmunity, particularly diabetes and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in animal models. In some reports, NKT-cell regulation was revealed only following vigorous activation by a synthetic glycolipi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in immunology 2003-12, Vol.15 (6), p.683-689
Main Authors: Hammond, Kirsten JL, Kronenberg, Mitchell
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Autoimmunity - immunology
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - immunology
Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - immunology
Humans
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
Mice
Mice, Inbred NOD
Multiple Sclerosis - immunology
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
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Summary:Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique lymphocyte subtype implicated in the regulation of autoimmunity, particularly diabetes and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in animal models. In some reports, NKT-cell regulation was revealed only following vigorous activation by a synthetic glycolipid, a process that might not occur naturally. Patients with diverse autoimmune diseases have reduced NKT-cell counts and, in diabetes and multiple sclerosis, effective NKT-cell regulation correlates with the secretion of Th2 cytokines. Although current controversy surrounds the importance of NKT cells and their modes of action, they represent a potentially important clinical target.
ISSN:0952-7915
1879-0372
DOI:10.1016/j.coi.2003.09.014