Description of invariant NKT cells.

Abstract

Recently discovered subpopulations belonging to cell groups called “invariant” NKT, also referred to as type I NKT or classical NKT cells, appear to have a unique impact on the tumor microenvironment. Considering the characteristics of secreted cytokines, production of chemokines and the capability of cell cytotoxic activity, these cells have a significant function in being immune to bacteria, parasites, viruses, autoimmune and tumor diseases. The profile of secreted cytokine is probably decisive in reference to the distinct functions of the subpopulation, some of them exhibit immunosuppressive activity inhibiting an anticancer immune response, and the other stimulate the organisms for eradicating the tumor. Currently, it has been discovered six fundamental, functionally distinct subpopulations of iNKT cells (NKT1, NKT2, NKT10, NKT17, NKTreg, NKTFH).

Keywords

• tumor microenvironment
• invariant natural killer T cells
• iNKT
• tumor
• immunology
• cytokines