Development and selection of NKT cells

NKT cells utilize a restricted αβ TCR repertoire that recognizes glycolipids in association with CD1d. The recent development of fluorescent CD1d tetramers loaded with the synthetic glycolipid α-galactosyl-ceramide has led to a clearer definition of NKT-cell subsets as well as important insights int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current Opinion in Immunology 2002-04, Vol.14 (2), p.250-254
Main Author: MacDonald, H.Robson
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
a-Galactosylceramide
Animals
Antigens, CD1 - physiology
CD1d
Cell Differentiation - physiology
Cell Lineage - physiology
Complementarity Determining Regions - physiology
development
Galactosylceramides - physiology
Genes, T-Cell Receptor - physiology
Humans
Killer Cells, Natural - cytology
Killer Cells, Natural - physiology
NK1.1 antigen
NKT
selection
subsets
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Summary:NKT cells utilize a restricted αβ TCR repertoire that recognizes glycolipids in association with CD1d. The recent development of fluorescent CD1d tetramers loaded with the synthetic glycolipid α-galactosyl-ceramide has led to a clearer definition of NKT-cell subsets as well as important insights into their developmental origin. As many as four subsets may exist, differing in NK1.1 expression, TCR repertoire and dependence on CD1d and various glycolipids for development. Two different lineage-commitment models have been proposed, with most evidence favoring a byproduct of conventional-T-cell development. Novel subsets of NKT cells have been defined using CD1d-aGalCer tetramers and two theories about NKT cell development have been proposed.
ISSN:0952-7915
1879-0372
DOI:10.1016/S0952-7915(02)00329-1