Department of Molecular Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-6300, USA.
J Innate Immun. 2010;2(4):316-24. doi: 10.1159/000296915. Epub 2010 Mar 17.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by dyslipidemia and accumulation of lipids in the arterial intima, with activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. Reciprocally, dyslipidemia associated with atherosclerosis can perturb normal immune function. Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a specialized group of immune cells that share characteristics with both conventional T cells and natural killer cells. However, unlike these cells, NKT cells recognize glycolipid antigens and produce both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines upon activation. Because of these unique characteristics, NKT cells have recently been ascribed a role in the regulation of immunity and inflammation, including cardiovascular disease. In addition, NKT cells represent a bridge between dyslipidemia and immune regulation. This review summarizes the current knowledge of NKT cells and discusses the interplay between dyslipidemia and the normal functions of NKT cells and how this might modulate inflammation and atherosclerosis.
动脉粥样硬化是一种慢性炎症性疾病,其特征是血脂异常和脂质在内膜积聚,先天免疫和适应性免疫均被激活。相反,与动脉粥样硬化相关的血脂异常会干扰正常的免疫功能。自然杀伤 T(NKT)细胞是一类具有独特特征的免疫细胞,兼具常规 T 细胞和自然杀伤细胞的特征。然而,与这些细胞不同的是,NKT 细胞识别糖脂抗原,并在激活后产生促炎和抗炎细胞因子。由于这些独特的特征,NKT 细胞在免疫和炎症的调节中发挥作用,包括心血管疾病。此外,NKT 细胞是血脂异常与免疫调节之间的桥梁。本综述总结了 NKT 细胞的最新知识,并讨论了血脂异常与 NKT 细胞正常功能之间的相互作用,以及这种相互作用如何调节炎症和动脉粥样硬化。