The α glycolipid rules the NKT cell TCR

J Exp Med. 2025 Feb 3;222(2):e20242099. doi: 10.1084/jem.20242099. Epub 2024 Dec 23.

Abstract

In this issue of JEM, Hosono et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20240728) characterize a putative self- glycolipid that engages the iNKT cell TCR when bound to CD1d. The expression and distribution of this compound helps to explain some of the unusual properties of invariant NKT cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD1d* / immunology
  • Antigens, CD1d* / metabolism
  • Glycolipids* / immunology
  • Glycolipids* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Natural Killer T-Cells* / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell* / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell* / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Glycolipids
  • Antigens, CD1d