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The interaction between invariant Natural Killer T cells and the mucosal microbiota
Author(s) -
Hapil Fatma Zehra,
Wingender Gerhard
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/imm.12958
Subject(s) - biology , cd1d , effector , immune system , natural killer t cell , immunology , antigen , innate immune system , major histocompatibility complex , microbiology and biotechnology , commensalism , t cell , bacteria , genetics
Summary The surface of mammalian bodies is colonized by a multitude of microbial organisms, which under normal conditions support the host and are considered beneficial commensals. This requires, however, that the composition of the commensal microbiota is tightly controlled and regulated. The host immune system plays an important role in the maintenance of this microbiota composition. Here we focus on the contribution of one particular immune cell type, invariant Natural Killer T ( i NKT ) cells, in this process. The i NKT cells are a unique subset of T cells characterized by two main features. First, they express an invariant T‐cell receptor that recognizes glycolipid antigens presented by CD 1d, a non‐polymorphic major histocompatibility complex class I‐like molecule. Second, i NKT cells develop as effector/memory cells and swiftly exert effector functions, like cytokine production and cytotoxicity, after activation. We outline the influence that the mucosal microbiota can have on i NKT cells, and how i NKT cells contribute to the maintenance of the microbiota composition.