Functions of CD1d-Restricted Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Antimicrobial Immunity and Potential Applications for Infection Control

Jun 22, 2018Frontiers in immunology

Roles of Specialized Immune Cells in Fighting Infections and Their Potential Use in Infection Control

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Abstract

CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells rapidly produce large amounts of cytokines upon stimulation.

NKT cells express a T-cell receptor containing an invariant α chain, which is critical for recognizing glycolipid antigens.
These cells can recognize a range of antigens presented by CD1d, including those from endogenous, microbial, and synthetic sources.
Activated NKT cells produce cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFNγ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), playing a significant role in immune responses.
NKT cell activation may enhance protection against various microbial pathogens by boosting both innate and acquired immunity.
In certain contexts, however, activated NKT cells could worsen infections by promoting harmful inflammation.
Identifying suitable microbial targets for NKT cell activation may improve treatments or vaccine adjuvants.

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CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-type lymphocytes that express a T-cell receptor (TCR) containing an invariant α chain encoded by thegene in mice andgene in humans. TheseNKT cells recognize endogenous, microbial, and synthetic glycolipid antigens presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like molecule CD1d. Upon TCR stimulation by glycolipid antigens,NKT cells rapidly produce large amounts of cytokines, including interferon-γ (IFNγ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). ActivatedNKT cells contribute to host protection against a broad spectrum of microbial pathogens, and glycolipid-mediated stimulation ofNKT cells ameliorates many microbial infections by augmenting innate and acquired immunity. In some cases, however, antigen-activatedNKT cells exacerbate microbial infections by promoting pathogenic inflammation. Therefore, it is important to identify appropriate microbial targets for the application ofNKT cell activation as a treatment or vaccine adjuvant. Many studies have found thatNKT cell activation induces potent adjuvant activities promoting protective vaccine effects. In this review, we summarize the functions of CD1d-restrictedNKT cells in immune responses against microbial pathogens and describe the potential applications of glycolipid-mediatedNKT cell activation for preventing and controlling microbial infections. i Vα14Vα24i i i i i i i i i

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