iNKT cells and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Two-phase activation of iNKT cells may improve outcome

摘要

Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT) produce large amounts of different cytokines which can influence differentiation, polarization and activation of immune cells, particularly NK and T cells. iNKT have been shown to suppress GvHD and promote anti-tumor and anti-pathogen immunity. There are highly specific and safe synthetic ligands such as alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) and C20:2 which activate iNKT cells toward relatively Th1 and Th2 pathways, respectively.