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NKT (natural killer T) cells are an innate-like lymphocyte population. They express markers associated with both T cells and NK cells. NKT cells can regulate diverse immune responses and produce large quantities of cytokines following activation.
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are important contributors to anti-tumour immunity, but they often become dysfunctional in cancers. Here authors show that inhibited iNKT intra-tumour motility and iNKT cell exclusion from tumours by macrophages both contribute to their diminished function in cancer, and by therapeutic interference with the respective motility and iNKT-macrophage interaction pathways, their function can be restored.
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells recognize abnormal cells, but their T cell receptor is not variable and kill cancerous or infected target cells without MHC I restriction. Here, the authors show that in a clinical trial, donor-unrestricted allogeneic iNKT cells could be safely administered to human COVID-19 patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome and trigger an anti-inflammatory response.
Invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells are defined into subset based on transcription expression and cytokine production, but differences in the subset distributions of these cells are seen between inbred mouse strains. Here the authors show that CD1d mediated TCR signals along with intrinsic signals impact this strain specific difference in the composition of the NKT cell compartment.
A specialized subset of iNKT cells populates the skin in early life, where their supply of transferrin regulates iron metabolism to promote hair follicle development.
Unconventional T cells of different lineages migrate from peripheral tissues to draining lymph nodes, where they operate as a connected functional unit to shape tissue-specific responses.
Colonization of the mucosal tissues by iNKT cells was thought to be linked to the first contact with the environment. New research demonstrates that this process is regulated by and dependent on embryonic macrophages.
