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Harnessing the power of invariant natural killer T cells in cancer immunotherapy

Abstract:
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a distinct subset of innate-like lymphocytes bearing an invariant T-cell receptor, through which they recognize lipid antigens presented by monomorphic CD1d molecules. Upon activation, iNKT cells are capable of not only having a direct effector function but also transactivating NK cells, maturing dendritic cells, and activating B cells, through secretion of several cytokines and cognate TCR-CD1d interaction. Endowed with the ability to orchestrate an all-encompassing immune response, iNKT cells are critical in shaping immune responses against pathogens and cancer cells. In this review, we examine the critical role of iNKT cells in antitumor responses from two perspectives: (i) how iNKT cells potentiate antitumor immunity and (ii) how CD1d+ tumor cells may modulate their own expression of CD1d molecules. We further explore hypotheses to explain iNKT cell activation in the context of cancer and how the antitumor effects of iNKT cells can be exploited in different forms of cancer immunotherapy, including their role in the development of cancer vaccines.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.3389/fimmu.2017.01829

Authors


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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
RDM
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
RDM; RDM - Investigative Medicine Division
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
RDM
Sub department:
RDM - Investigative Medicine Division
Role:
Author


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Grant:
Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford
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Grant:
Program Grant #C399/A2291
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Grant:
MRC Human Immunology Unit


Publisher:
Frontiers Media
Journal:
Frontiers in Immunology More from this journal
Volume:
8
Issue:
DEC
Article number:
1829
Publication date:
2017-12-18
Acceptance date:
2017-12-04
DOI:
ISSN:
1664-3224
Pmid:
29326711


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:813498
UUID:
uuid:443deb98-106c-4b5a-92e1-7aadcd9610c1
Local pid:
pubs:813498
Source identifiers:
813498
Deposit date:
2018-03-15

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