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Molecular basis of lipid antigen presentation by CD 1d and recognition by natural killer T cells
Author(s) -
Girardi Enrico,
Zajonc Dirk M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2012.01166.x
Subject(s) - cd1d , natural killer t cell , cd1 , biology , t cell receptor , antigen , major histocompatibility complex , antigen presentation , microbiology and biotechnology , antigen presenting cell , immunology , t cell , immune system , cd8
Summary Together with peptides, T lymphocytes respond to hydrophobic molecules, mostly lipids, presented by the non‐classical CD 1 family ( CD 1a–e). These molecules have evolved complex and diverse binding grooves in order to survey different cellular compartments for self and exogenous antigens, which are then presented for recognition to T‐cell receptors ( TCR s) on the surface of T cells. In particular, most CD 1d‐presented antigens are recognized by a population of lymphocytes denominated natural killer T ( NKT ) cells, characterized by a strong immunomodulatory potential. Among NKT cells, two major subsets (type I and type II NKT cells) have been described, based on their TCR repertoire and antigen specificity. Here we review recent structural and biochemical studies that have shed light on the molecular details of CD 1d‐mediated antigen recognition by type I and II NKT cells, which are in many aspects distinct from what has been observed for peptide major histocompatibility complex‐reactive TCR s.