Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

The Janus Face of NKT Cell Function in Autoimmunity and Infectious Diseases

Version 1 : Received: 19 January 2018 / Approved: 20 January 2018 / Online: 20 January 2018 (13:59:26 CET)

How to cite: Torina, A.; Guggino, G.; La Manna, M.P.; Sireci, G. The Janus Face of NKT Cell Function in Autoimmunity and Infectious Diseases. Preprints 2018, 2018010189. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201801.0189.v1 Torina, A.; Guggino, G.; La Manna, M.P.; Sireci, G. The Janus Face of NKT Cell Function in Autoimmunity and Infectious Diseases. Preprints 2018, 2018010189. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201801.0189.v1

Abstract

Natural killer T cells (NKT) are a subset of T lymphocytes bridging innate and adaptive immunity. These cells recognize self and microbial glycolipids bound to non-polymorphic and highly conserved CD1d molecules. Three NKT cell subsets, type I, II and NKT-like expressing different antigen receptors (TCR) were described and TCR activation promotes intracellular events leading to specific functional activities. NKT can exhibit different functions depending on the secretion of soluble molecules and the interaction with other cell types. NKT cells act as regulatory cells in the defence against infections but, on the other hand, their effector functions can be involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory disorders due to their exposure to different microbial or self antigens, respectively. A deep understanding of the biology and functions of type I, II and NKT-like cells as well as their interplay with cell types acting in innate (Neuthrophils, Innate Lymphoid cells, Machrophages and Dendritic cells) and adaptive immunity (CD4+,CD8+ and Double Negative T cells) should be important to design potential immunotherapies for infectious and autoimmune diseases.

Keywords

microbes; autoimmunity; glycolipids,alpha-GalactosylCeramide; sulfatide; CD1d; NKT.

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Immunology and Microbiology

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