scholarly journals Antitumor Responses of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie B. Altman ◽  
Adriana D. Benavides ◽  
Rupali Das ◽  
Hamid Bassiri
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Nkt Cells ◽  
Effector Function ◽  
Airway Hyperreactivity ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Inkt Cells ◽  
Initiation And Propagation ◽  
Initial Description ◽  
Natural Killer T

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like lymphocytes that were first described in the late 1980s. Since their initial description, numerous studies have collectively shed light on their development and effector function. These studies have highlighted the unique requirements for the activation of these lymphocytes and the functional responses that distinguish these cells from other effector lymphocyte populations such as conventional T cells and NK cells. This body of literature suggests that NKT cells play diverse nonredundant roles in a number of disease processes, including the initiation and propagation of airway hyperreactivity, protection against a variety of pathogens, development of autoimmunity, and mediation of allograft responses. In this review, however, we focus on the role of a specific lineage of NKT cells in antitumor immunity. Specifically, we describe the development of invariant NKT (iNKT) cells and the factors that are critical for their acquisition of effector function. Next, we delineate the mechanisms by which iNKT cells influence and modulate the activity of other immune cells to directly or indirectly affect tumor growth. Finally, we review the successes and failures of clinical trials employing iNKT cell-based immunotherapies and explore the future prospects for the use of such strategies.

scholarly journals Type I Natural Killer T Cells as Key Regulators of the Immune Response to Infectious Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. e00232-20
Author(s):  
Nicolás M. S. Gálvez ◽  
Karen Bohmwald ◽  
Gaspar A. Pacheco ◽  
Catalina A. Andrade ◽  
Leandro J. Carreño ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Nkt Cells ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Type I ◽  
Inkt Cells ◽  
Class I Mhc ◽  
Natural Killer T

SUMMARYThe immune system must work in an orchestrated way to achieve an optimal response upon detection of antigens. The cells comprising the immune response are traditionally divided into two major subsets, innate and adaptive, with particular characteristics for each type. Type I natural killer T (iNKT) cells are defined as innate-like T cells sharing features with both traditional adaptive and innate cells, such as the expression of an invariant T cell receptor (TCR) and several NK receptors. The invariant TCR in iNKT cells interacts with CD1d, a major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-like molecule. CD1d can bind and present antigens of lipid nature and induce the activation of iNKT cells, leading to the secretion of various cytokines, such as gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4). These cytokines will aid in the activation of other immune cells following stimulation of iNKT cells. Several molecules with the capacity to bind to CD1d have been discovered, including α-galactosylceramide. Likewise, several molecules have been synthesized that are capable of polarizing iNKT cells into different profiles, either pro- or anti-inflammatory. This versatility allows NKT cells to either aid or impair the clearance of pathogens or to even control or increase the symptoms associated with pathogenic infections. Such diverse contributions of NKT cells to infectious diseases are supported by several publications showing either a beneficial or detrimental role of these cells during diseases. In this article, we discuss current data relative to iNKT cells and their features, with an emphasis on their driving role in diseases produced by pathogenic agents in an organ-oriented fashion.

scholarly journals Transcriptome and Function of Novel Immunosuppressive Autoreactive Invariant Natural Killer T Cells That Are Absent in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e1065
Author(s):  
Belinda Carrión ◽  
Yawei Liu ◽  
Mahdieh Hadi ◽  
Jon Lundstrom ◽  
Jeppe Romme Christensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Fas Ligand ◽  
Nkt Cells ◽  
Tnf Receptor ◽  
Inkt Cells ◽  
Invariant Natural Killer ◽  
Natural Killer T

Background and ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether natural killer T (NKT) cells, including invariant (i) NKT cells, have clinical value in preventing the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) by examining the mechanisms by which a distinct self-peptide induces a novel, protective invariant natural killer T cell (iNKT cell) subset.MethodsWe performed a transcriptomic and functional analysis of iNKT cells that were reactive to a human collagen type II self-peptide, hCII707-721, measuring differentially induced genes, cytokines, and suppressive capacity.ResultsWe report the first transcriptomic profile of human conventional vs novel hCII707-721–reactive iNKT cells. We determined that hCII707-721 induces protective iNKT cells that are found in the blood of healthy individuals but not progressive patients with MS (PMS). By transcriptomic analysis, we observed that hCII707-721 promotes their development and proliferation, favoring the splicing of full-length AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and effector function of this unique lineage by upregulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related genes. Furthermore, hCII707-721–reactive iNKT cells did not upregulate interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-13, or IL-17 by RNA-seq or at the protein level, unlike the response to the glycolipid alpha-galactosylceramide. hCII707-721–reactive iNKT cells increased TNFα only at the protein level and suppressed autologous-activated T cells through FAS-FAS ligand (FAS-FASL) and TNFα-TNF receptor I signaling but not TNF receptor II.DiscussionBased on their immunomodulatory properties, NKT cells have a potential value in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as MS. These significant findings suggest that endogenous peptide ligands can be used to expand iNKT cells, without causing a cytokine storm, constituting a potential immunotherapy for autoimmune conditions, including PMS.

Direct activation of natural killer T cells induces airway hyperreactivity in a non-human primate model of asthma

2007 ◽  
Vol &NA; ◽  
pp. S8
Author(s):  
Ponpan Matangkasombut ◽  
Muriel Pichavant ◽  
Takahiro Yasumi ◽  
Carrie Hendricks ◽  
Rosemarie H. DeKruyff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Natural Killer T Cells ◽  
Airway Hyperreactivity ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Direct Activation ◽  
Killer T Cells ◽  
Human Primate ◽  
Natural Killer T

scholarly journals Innate and cytokine-driven signals, rather than microbial antigens, dominate in natural killer T cell activation during microbial infection

2011 ◽  
Vol 208 (6) ◽  
pp. 1163-1177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred Brigl ◽  
Raju V.V. Tatituri ◽  
Gerald F.M. Watts ◽  
Veemal Bhowruth ◽  
Elizabeth A. Leadbetter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Inkt Cell ◽  
Microbial Infection ◽  
Inkt Cells ◽  
Natural Killer T

Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) are critical for host defense against a variety of microbial pathogens. However, the central question of how iNKT cells are activated by microbes has not been fully explained. The example of adaptive MHC-restricted T cells, studies using synthetic pharmacological α-galactosylceramides, and the recent discovery of microbial iNKT cell ligands have all suggested that recognition of foreign lipid antigens is the main driver for iNKT cell activation during infection. However, when we compared the role of microbial antigens versus innate cytokine-driven mechanisms, we found that iNKT cell interferon-γ production after in vitro stimulation or infection with diverse bacteria overwhelmingly depended on toll-like receptor–driven IL-12. Importantly, activation of iNKT cells in vivo during infection with Sphingomonas yanoikuyae or Streptococcus pneumoniae, pathogens which are known to express iNKT cell antigens and which require iNKT cells for effective protection, also predominantly depended on IL-12. Constitutive expression of high levels of IL-12 receptor by iNKT cells enabled instant IL-12–induced STAT4 activation, demonstrating that among T cells, iNKT cells are uniquely equipped for immediate, cytokine-driven activation. These findings reveal that innate and cytokine-driven signals, rather than cognate microbial antigen, dominate in iNKT cell activation during microbial infections.

scholarly journals Mechanisms imposing the Vβ bias of Vα14 natural killer T cells and consequences for microbial glycolipid recognition

2006 ◽  
Vol 203 (5) ◽  
pp. 1197-1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Datsen G. Wei ◽  
Shane A. Curran ◽  
Paul B. Savage ◽  
Luc Teyton ◽  
Albert Bendelac
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Nkt Cells ◽  
Cell Repertoire ◽  
Transgenic Cells ◽  
Α Chain ◽  
Natural Killer T

Mouse and human natural killer T (NKT) cells recognize a restricted set of glycosphingolipids presented by CD1d molecules, including self iGb3 and microbial α-glycuronosylceramides. The importance of the canonical Vα14-Jα18 TCR α chain for antigen recognition by NKT cells is well recognized, but the mechanisms underlying the Vβ8, Vβ7, and Vβ2 bias in mouse have not been explored. To study the influences of thymic selection and the constraints of pairing with Vα14-Jα18, we have created a population of mature T cells expressing Vα14-Jα18 TCR α chain in CD1d-deficient mice and studied its recognition properties in vitro and in vivo. Transgenic cells expressed a diverse Vβ repertoire but their recognition of endogenous ligands and synthetic iGb3 was restricted to the same biased Vβ repertoire as expressed in natural NKT cells. In contrast, α-GalCer, a synthetic homologue of microbial α-glycuronosylceramides, was recognized by a broader set of Vβ chains, including the biased NKT set but also Vβ6, Vβ9, Vβ10, and Vβ14. These surprising findings demonstrate that, whereas Vβ8, Vβ7, and Vβ2 represent the optimal solution for recognition of endogenous ligand, many Vβ chains that are potentially useful for the recognition of foreign lipids fail to be selected in the NKT cell repertoire.

scholarly journals Invariant natural killer T cells recognize a fungal glycosphingolipid that can induce airway hyperreactivity

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 1297-1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee A Albacker ◽  
Vinod Chaudhary ◽  
Ya-Jen Chang ◽  
Hye Young Kim ◽  
Ya-Ting Chuang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Natural Killer T Cells ◽  
Airway Hyperreactivity ◽  
Killer T Cells ◽  
Invariant Natural Killer ◽  
Natural Killer T

scholarly journals Natural Killer Dendritic Cells Enhance Immune Responses Elicited byα-Galactosylceramide-Stimulated Natural Killer T Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Won Lee ◽  
Hyun Jung Park ◽  
Nayoung Kim ◽  
Seokmann Hong
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Tumor Antigens ◽  
Nkt Cells ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Innate Immune Cells ◽  
Natural Killer T

Natural killer dendritic cells (NKDCs) possess potent anti-tumor activity, but the cellular effect of NKDC interactions with other innate immune cells is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the interaction of NKDCs and natural killer T (NKT) cells is required for the anti-tumor immune responses that are elicited byα-galactosylceramide (α-GC) in mice. The rapid and strong expression of interferon-γby NKDCs afterα-GC stimulation was dependent on NKT cells. Various NK and DC molecular markers and cytotoxic molecules were up-regulated followingα-GC administration. This up-regulation could improve NKDC presentation of tumor antigens and increase cytotoxicity against tumor cells. NKDCs were required for the stimulation of DCs, NK cells, and NKT cells. The strong anti-tumor immune responses elicited byα-GC may be due to the down-regulation of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, the depletion of NKDCs dampened the tumor clearance mediated byα-GC-stimulated NKT cellsin vivo. Taken together, these results indicate that complex interactions of innate immune cells might be required to achieve optimal anti-tumor immune responses during the early stages of tumorigenesis.

scholarly journals A Molecular Basis for the Exquisite CD1d-Restricted Antigen Specificity and Functional Responses of Natural Killer T Cells

Immunity ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwok S. Wun ◽  
Garth Cameron ◽  
Onisha Patel ◽  
Siew Siew Pang ◽  
Daniel G. Pellicci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Natural Killer T Cells ◽  
Antigen Specificity ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Killer T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer T

Relevance of sexual dimorphism to regulatory T cells: estradiol promotes IFN-γ production by invariant natural killer T cells

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 2415-2420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Gourdy ◽  
Luiza M. Araujo ◽  
Ren Zhu ◽  
Barbara Garmy-Susini ◽  
Séverine Diem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Inkt Cells ◽  
Gender Dimorphism ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Invariant Natural Killer ◽  
Natural Killer T

Abstract Mechanisms accounting for gender dimorphism during immune responses are still poorly understood. Since invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells exert important regulatory functions through their capacity to produce both T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines, we addressed the question of whether these activities could be modulated by sexual hormones. We found that in vivo challenge with the specific ligand of iNKT cells, α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), induced significantly higher concentrations of interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the serum of female than in that of male mice, while interleukin 4 (IL-4) production was not modified. In support of a crucial role of ovarian hormones in this phenomenon, a significant decrease of serum IFN-γ concentrations occurred in ovariectomized females, in response to treatment with α-GalCer, while orchidectomy affected neither IFN-γ nor IL-4 serum concentrations in males. The implication of estrogens in this selective enhancement of IFN-γ production by iNKT cells was demonstrated by (1) the increased α-GalCer–induced IFN-γ synthesis by iNKT cells upon both in vitro and in vivo exposure to estradiol and (2) the abolition of the sex-linked difference in α-GalCer–induced IFN-γ release in estrogen receptor α-deficient mice. These results provide the first evidence that estrogens influence iNKT cells leading to this gender dimorphism in their cytokine production profile.

scholarly journals Low doses of natural killer T cells provide protection from acute graft-versus-host disease via an IL-4–dependent mechanism

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 117 (11) ◽  
pp. 3220-3229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis B. Leveson-Gower ◽  
Janelle A. Olson ◽  
Emanuela I. Sega ◽  
Richard H. Luong ◽  
Jeanette Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Nkt Cells ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Gastrointestinal Pathology ◽  
Dependent Mechanism ◽  
Natural Killer T

Abstract CD4+ natural killer T (NKT) cells, along with CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), are capable of controlling aberrant immune reactions. We explored the adoptive transfer of highly purified (> 95%) CD4+NKT cells in a murine model of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). NKT cells follow a migration and proliferation pattern similar to that of conventional T cells (Tcons), migrating initially to secondary lymphoid organs followed by infiltration of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) target tissues. NKT cells persist for more than 100 days and do not cause significant morbidity or mortality. Doses of NKT cells as low as 1.0 × 104 cells suppress GVHD caused by 5.0 × 105 Tcons in an interleukin-4 (IL-4)–dependent mechanism. Protective doses of NKT cells minimally affect Tcon proliferation, but cause significant reductions in interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production by donor Tcons and in skin, spleen, and gastrointestinal pathology. In addition, NKT cells do not impact the graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect of Tcons against B-cell lymphoma-1 (BCL-1) tumors. These studies elucidate the biologic function of donor-type CD4+NKT cells in suppressing GVHD in an allogeneic transplantation setting, demonstrating clinical potential in reducing GVHD in HCT.

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