Mercer Jason C, Ragin Melanie J, August Avery
Immunology Research Laboratories and Department of Veterinary Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 115 Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2005 Jul;37(7):1337-43. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2004.11.019. Epub 2005 Jan 8.
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a subset of T cells that share properties of natural killer cells and conventional T cells. They are involved in immediate immune responses, tumor rejection, immune surveillance and control of autoimmune diseases. Most NKT cells express both an invariant T cell antigen receptor and the NK cell receptor NK1.1, and are referred to as invariant NKT cells. This invariant T cell receptor is restricted to interactions with glycolipids presented by the non-classical MHC, CD1d. These NKT cells rapidly produce high levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-4 upon stimulation through their TCR. Most also have cytotoxic activity similar to NK cells. NKT cells are involved in a number of pathological conditions, and have been shown to regulate viral infections in vivo, and control tumor growth. They may also play both protective and harmful roles in the progression of certain autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, lupus, atherosclerosis, and allergen-induced asthma.
自然杀伤T（NKT）细胞是T细胞的一个亚群，兼具自然杀伤细胞和传统T细胞的特性。它们参与即时免疫反应、肿瘤排斥、免疫监视以及自身免疫性疾病的控制。大多数NKT细胞同时表达恒定不变的T细胞抗原受体和NK细胞受体NK1.1，被称为恒定不变NKT细胞。这种恒定不变的T细胞受体仅限于与非经典MHC即CD1d所呈递的糖脂相互作用。这些NKT细胞在通过其TCR受到刺激后会迅速产生高水平的白细胞介素（IL）-2、干扰素-γ、肿瘤坏死因子-α和IL-4。大多数NKT细胞还具有与NK细胞相似的细胞毒性活性。NKT细胞参与多种病理状况，并且已被证明在体内可调节病毒感染以及控制肿瘤生长。它们在某些自身免疫性疾病（如糖尿病、狼疮、动脉粥样硬化和过敏原诱导的哮喘）的进展中可能同时发挥保护和有害作用。
