Recent studies have shown that NKT cells, as a novel immunoregulatory subset, play important roles in immune responses including tumor rejection, graft acceptance and prevention of autoimmune disease. Aberrant function of NKT cells is associated with a number of clinical diseases such as tumor metastasis, autoimmune diseases (diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis, etc. ) . Studies have also shown that manipulation on the NKT cell function could result in treatment effects in the therapies of tumor and a number of other diseases. Moreover, an extensive laboratory studies have also provided effective tools that can monitor and manipulate the function of NKT cells. Based on the laboratory findings, a platform for NKT cell studying has now been set up in the laboratory. Using this platform, it is now feasible to isolate, culture, expand in vitro and to detect NKT cells. We focus on the role of NKT cells in regulatory immune reaction. We also work on investigating common as well as distinct properties between NK/NKT cells and conventional T cells in terms of differentiation, antigen recognition, and function. We believe that understanding the regulation of NKT cells and the potential mechanisms of these functions may lead to novel therapies for autoimmunity, graft acceptance, and tumor rejection. This review aims to provide a general remarks and some updates on NKT cells.
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