Complexity and function of natural killer T cells with potential application to hepatic transplant survival

Abstract

One of the major innate-like lymphocyte populations enriched in the liver consists of natural killer T (NKT) cells, which recognize self and foreign lipid antigens presented by the nonpolymorphic class I major histocompatibility complex-like molecule CD1d. NKT cells express natural killer cell markers as well as T cell receptors (TCRs) and can be classified into 2 categories: type I NKT cells use a semi-invariant TCR, whereas type II NKT cells express diverse but still limited TCRs. An emerging body of evidence points to their opposing roles in inflammation, including ischemia/reperfusion injury. Improved understanding of their roles in experimental models as well as in humans and the means by which their function can be manipulated may provide therapeutic benefit in liver diseases and in organ transplantation. Liver Transplantation 23 1589-1592 2017 AASLD.