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Tec family kinases: Itk signaling and the development of NKT αβ and γδ T cells
Author(s) -
Qi Qian,
Kannan Arun Kumar,
August Avery
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08074.x
Subject(s) - natural killer t cell , microbiology and biotechnology , zap70 , biology , kinase , function (biology) , immunology , cancer research , t cell , immune system
The Tec family tyrosine kinase interleukin‐2 inducible T‐cell kinase (Itk) is predominantly expressed in T cells and has been shown to be critical for the development, function and differentiation of conventional αβ T cells. However, less is known about its role in nonconventional T cells such as NKT and γδ T cells. In this minireview, we discuss evidence for a role for Itk in the development of invariant NKT αβ cells, as well as a smaller population NKT‐like γδ T cells. We discuss how these cells take what could be the same signaling pathway regulated by Itk, and interpret it to give different outcomes with regards to development and function.