Roles and therapeutic potential of CD1d-Restricted NKT cells in inflammatory skin diseases

Sung Won Lee; Hyun Jung Park; Luc Van Kaer; Seokmann Hong

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.979370

Roles and therapeutic potential of CD1d-Restricted NKT cells in inflammatory skin diseases

Front Immunol. 2022 Sep 2:13:979370. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.979370. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Sung Won Lee¹, Hyun Jung Park¹, Luc Van Kaer², Seokmann Hong¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Anticancer Medicine Development, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea.
² Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States.

Abstract

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like T lymphocytes that recognize glycolipid antigens rather than peptides. Due to their immunoregulatory properties, extensive work has been done to elucidate the immune functions of NKT cells in various immune contexts such as autoimmunity for more than two decades. In addition, as research on barrier immunity such as the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue has flourished in recent years, the role of NKT cells to immunity in the skin has attracted substantial attention. Here, we review the contributions of NKT cells to regulating skin inflammation and discuss the factors that can modulate the functions of NKT cells in inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. This mini-review article will mainly focus on CD1d-dependent NKT cells and their therapeutic potential in skin-related immune diseases.

Keywords: CD1d-restricted NKT cells; UV-induced skin inflammation; allergic contact dermatitis; atopic dermatitis; glycolipid antigens; psoriasis.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Autoimmunity
Glycolipids
Natural Killer T-Cells*
Peptides

Substances

Glycolipids
Peptides