Thymic development of human natural killer T cells: recent advances and implications for immunotherapy

Daniel G. Pellicci; Daniel G. Pellicci; Daniel G. Pellicci; Naeimeh Tavakolinia; Naeimeh Tavakolinia; Louis Perriman; Louis Perriman; Louis Perriman; Stuart P. Berzins; Stuart P. Berzins; Christopher Menne

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1441634

Frontiers in Immunology (Aug 2024)

Thymic development of human natural killer T cells: recent advances and implications for immunotherapy

Daniel G. Pellicci,
Daniel G. Pellicci,
Daniel G. Pellicci,
Naeimeh Tavakolinia,
Naeimeh Tavakolinia,
Louis Perriman,
Louis Perriman,
Louis Perriman,
Stuart P. Berzins,
Stuart P. Berzins,
Christopher Menne

Affiliations

Daniel G. Pellicci: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Daniel G. Pellicci: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Daniel G. Pellicci: Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Naeimeh Tavakolinia: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Naeimeh Tavakolinia: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Louis Perriman: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Louis Perriman: Fiona Elsey Cancer Institute, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
Louis Perriman: Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
Stuart P. Berzins: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Stuart P. Berzins: Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
Christopher Menne: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1441634
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15

Abstract

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Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a subset of lipid-reactive, unconventional T cells that have anti-tumor properties that make them a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Recent studies have deciphered the developmental pathway of human MAIT and Vγ9Vδ2 γδ-T cells as well as murine iNKT cells, yet our understanding of human NKT cell development is limited. Here, we provide an update in our understanding of how NKT cells develop in the human body and how knowledge regarding their development could enhance human treatments by targeting these cells.

Published in Frontiers in Immunology

ISSN: 1664-3224 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/immunology

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Abstract

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