NKT cells that express the semi-invariant TCR are innate-like lymphocytes whose functions are regulated by self and foreign glycolipid ligands presented by the Ag-presenting, MHC class I-like molecule CD1d. Activation of NKT cells in vivo results in rapid release of copious amounts of effector cytokines and chemokines with which they regulate innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogens, c...

Advances in the design of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have improved the antitumor efficacy of redirected T cells. However, functional heterogeneity of CAR T cells limits their therapeutic potential and is associated with toxicity. We proposed that CAR expression in Vα24-invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells can build on the natural antitumor properties of these cells while their restrict...

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a T-cell subpopulation known to possess immunoregulatory functions and recognize CD1d molecules. The majority of NKT cells express an invariant T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha chain rearrangement (Valpha14 Jalpha18 in mice; Valpha24 Jalpha18 in humans) and are called type I NKT cells; all other NKT cells are type II. In the current study, we have analyzed the roles ...

Human CD1d molecules present an unknown ligand, mimicked by the synthetic glycosphingolipid -galactosylceramide ( GC), to a highly conserved NKT cell subset expressing an invariant TCR V 24-J Q paired with V 11 chain (V 24 V 11 invariant NK T cell (NKT)). The developmental pathway of V 24 V 11 NKT is still unclear, but recent studies in mice were consistent with a TCR instructive, rather than a...

ABCA7 is an ABC transporter expressed on the plasma membrane, and actively exports phospholipid complexes from the cytoplasmic to the exocytoplasmic leaflet of membranes. Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are a subpopulation of T lymphocytes that recognize glycolipid antigens in the context of CD1d-mediated antigen presentation. In this study, we demonstrate that ABCA7 regulates the development of NKT...

In addition to their CD1d-restricted T cell receptor (TCR), natural killer T (NKT) cells express various receptors normally associated with NK cells thought to act, in part, as modulators of TCR signaling. Immunoreceptor-tyrosine activation (ITAM) and inhibition (ITIM) motifs associated with NK receptors may augment or attenuate perceived TCR signals respectively, potentially influencing NKT ce...

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a heterogeneous group of T cells that share properties characteristic of both T cells and NK cells and possess a variety of unusual properties with regard to antigen recognition and function. Many of these cells recognize the non-polymorphic CD1d molecule, an antigen-presenting molecule that binds selfand foreign lipids. The best known subset of CD1d-dependent N...

Context: Human Natural Killer T cells are T lymphocytes that express an invariant  T cells receptors and NK cells receptors. They regulate innate and adaptive immune response but are susceptible to HIV-1 infection. Objective: We compare the frequency and the activity of NKT cells in HIV-1 and HIV-2 infected individuals with CD4 counts greater than 500/mm using flow cytometry after overnight s...

NKT cells belong to a distinct subset of T cells that recognize hydrophobic antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class I-like molecules, such as CD1d. Because NKT cells stimulated by antigens can activate or suppress other immunocompetent cells through an immediate production of a large amount of cytokines, they are regarded as immunological modulators. CD1d-restricted NKT cel...

Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are unique lymphocytes characterized by their expression of a single invariant antigen receptor encoded by Vα14Jα18 in mice and Vα24Jα18 in humans, which recognizes glycolipid antigens in association with the monomorphic CD1d molecule. NKT cells mediate adjuvant activity to activate both CD8T cells to kill MHC-positive tumor cells and NK cells to eliminate MHC-negat...