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Tognarelli EI, Gutiérrez-Vera C, Palacios PA, Pasten-Ferrada IA, Aguirre-Muñoz F, Cornejo DA, González PA, Carreño LJ. Natural Killer T Cell Diversity and Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5737. [PMID: 38136283 PMCID: PMC10742272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs), a type of unconventional T cells, share features with NK cells and have an invariant T cell receptor (TCR), which recognizes lipid antigens loaded on CD1d molecules, a major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-like protein. This interaction produces the secretion of a wide array of cytokines by these cells, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4), allowing iNKTs to link innate with adaptive responses. Interestingly, molecules that bind CD1d have been identified that enable the modulation of these cells, highlighting their potential pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive capacities, as required in different clinical settings. In this review, we summarize key features of iNKTs and current understandings of modulatory α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) variants, a model iNKT cell activator that can shift the outcome of adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, we discuss advances in the development of strategies that modulate these cells to target pathologies that are considerable healthcare burdens. Finally, we recapitulate findings supporting a role for iNKTs in infectious diseases and tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo I. Tognarelli
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Cristián Gutiérrez-Vera
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Pablo A. Palacios
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Ignacio A. Pasten-Ferrada
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Fernanda Aguirre-Muñoz
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Daniel A. Cornejo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Leandro J. Carreño
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8330025, Chile; (E.I.T.); (C.G.-V.); (P.A.P.); (I.A.P.-F.); (F.A.-M.); (D.A.C.)
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
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