Potential role of NKT regulatory cell ligands for the treatment of immune mediated colitis

作     者：Madi El Haj Ami Ben Ya'acov Gadi Lalazar Yaron Ilan 

作者机构：Liver UnitDepartment of Medicine Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center Jerusalem Israel 

出 版 物：《World Journal of Gastroenterology》 (世界胃肠病学杂志（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2007年第13卷第44期

页      面：5799-5804页

核心收录：

学科分类：1002[医学-临床医学] 100201[医学-内科学(含：心血管病、血液病、呼吸系病、消化系病、内分泌与代谢病、肾病、风湿病、传染病)] 10[医学] 

主　　题：Natural killer T lymphocyte, Immunomodulatory Colitis Inflammatory bowel disease, Ligand 

摘      要：Natural killer T lymphocytes （NKT） have been implicated in the regulation of autoimmune processes in both mice and humans. In response to stimuli, this subset of cells rapidly produces large amounts of cytokines thereby provoking immune responses, including protection against autoimmune diseases. NKT cells are present in all lymphoid compartments, but are most abundant in the liver and bone marrow. They are activated by interaction of their T-cell receptor with glycolipids presented by CDld, a nonpolymorphic, major histocompatibility complex class I-like molecule expressed by antigen presenting cells. Several possible ligands for NKT cells have recently been suggested. β-glucosylceramide, a naturally occurring glycolipid, is a metabolic intermediate in the anabolic and catabolic pathways of complex glycosphingolipids. Like other β-glycolipids, β-glucosylceramide has an immunomodulatory effect in several immune mediated disorders, including immune mediated colitis. Due to the broad impact that NKT cells have on the immune system, there is intense interest in understanding how NKT cells are stimulated and the extent to which NKT cell responses can be controlled. These novel ligands are currently being evaluated in animal models of colitis. Here, we discuss strategies to alter NKT lymphocyte function in various settings and the potential clinical applications of natural glycolipids.