Abstract

To optimize vaccination strategies, it is important to use protocols that can 'jump-start' immune responses by harnessing cells of the innate immune system to assist the expansion of antigen-specific B and T cells. In this Review, we discuss the evidence indicating that invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells can positively modulate dendritic cells and B cells, and that their pharmacological activation in the presence of antigenic proteins can enhance antigen-specific B- and T-cell responses. In addition, we describe structural and kinetic analyses that assist in the design of optimal iNKT-cell agonists that could be used in the clinical setting as vaccine adjuvants.

Author affiliations

1. Tumour Immunology Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.

Correspondence to: Vincenzo Cerundolo¹ Email: vincenzo.cerundolo@imm.ox.ac.uk

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