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Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 293: G1101-G1105, 2007. First published August 23, 2007; doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00342.2007
0193-1857/07 $8.00
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THEMES

Role of NKT Cells in the Digestive System. III. Role of NKT cells in intestinal immunity

Sebastian Zeissig,1 Arthur Kaser,2 Stephanie K. Dougan,1 Edward E. S. Nieuwenhuis,3 and Richard S. Blumberg1

1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; and 3Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Submitted 26 July 2007 ; accepted in final form 20 August 2007

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a small subset of unconventional T cells that recognize lipid antigens presented by the nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule CD1d. NKT cells are involved in the host response to a variety of microbial pathogens and likely commensals. In the intestine, invariant and noninvariant NKT cells can be found among intraepithelial lymphocytes and in the lamina propria. Activation of intestinal NKT cells by CD1d-expressing intestinal epithelial cells and professional antigen-presenting cells may contribute to induction of oral tolerance and protection from mucosal infections. On the other hand, sustained and uncontrolled activation of NKT cells may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Here we review the current literature on intestinal NKT cells and their function in the intestine in health and disease.

natural killer T cells; major histocompatibility complex; intestinal epithelial cells


Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: R. S. Blumberg, Div. of Gastroenterology, Dept. of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Thorn 14, Boston, MA 02115 (e-mail: rblumberg{at}partners.org)






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