Recognition of CD1d-restricted antigens by natural killer T cells

Here, the authors discuss how the T cell receptors expressed by natural killer T cells are able to recognize and respond to an array of self and foreign lipid antigens that are presented on CD1d molecules. They explain how a better understanding of these processes could be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like T cells that rapidly produce a variety of cytokines following T cell receptor (TCR) activation and can shape the immune response in many different settings. There are two main NKT cell subsets: type I NKT cells are typically characterized by the expression of a semi-invariant TCR, whereas the TCRs expressed by type II NKT cells are more diverse. This Review focuses on the defining features and emerging generalities regarding how NKT cells specifically recognize self, microbial and synthetic lipid-based antigens that are presented by CD1d. Such information is vitally important to better understand, and fully harness, the therapeutic potential of NKT cells.