Title

Natural Killer T Cells: An Ecological Evolutionary Developmental Biology Perspective.

Contributing USMA Research Unit(s)

Center for Molecular Science, Chemistry and Life Science

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 12-2017

Abstract

Type I natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like T lymphocytes that recognize glycolipid antigens presented by the MHC class I-like protein CD1d. Agonistic activation of NKT cells leads to rapid pro-inflammatory and immune modulatory cytokine and chemokine responses. This property of NKT cells, in conjunction with their interactions with antigen-presenting cells, controls downstream innate and adaptive immune responses against cancers and infectious diseases, as well as in several inflammatory disorders. NKT cell properties are acquired during development in the thymus and by interactions with the host microbial consortium in the gut, the nature of which can be influenced by NKT cells. This latter property, together with the role of the host microbiota in cancer therapy, necessitates a new perspective. Hence, this review provides an initial approach to understanding NKT cells from an ecological evolutionary developmental biology (eco-evo-devo) perspective.

USMA Center/Institute Affiliation

Center for Molecular Science

First Page

1858

External Link

Record links to items hosted by external providers may require fee for full-text.

Share

COinS