Therapeutic potential of CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T cell-based treatment for autoimmune diseases

Abstract

CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique subset of T cells that recognize glycolipid antigens presented by the CD1d molecule. iNKT cells participate in various kinds of immunoregulation due to a potent ability to produce a variety of cytokines. Recent advances in studies of novel synthetic glycolipid ligands has led to new strategies to manipulate the pleiotropic functions of iNKT cells. The molecular mechanism of selective cytokine production by glycolipid ligands will be discussed. We will also focus on the possible therapeutic application of such ligands for the clinical treatment of various autoimmune diseases.