NKT cells in liver diseases.
10.1007/s11684-018-0622-3
- Author:
Shasha ZHU
1
;
Huimin ZHANG
1
;
Li BAI
2
Author Information
1. CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
2. CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China. baili@ustc.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
alcoholic liver disease;
autoimmune liver diseases;
hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection;
hepatocellular carcinoma;
natural killer T cells;
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- MeSH:
Animals;
Autoimmune Diseases;
immunology;
Humans;
Liver;
pathology;
Liver Diseases;
immunology;
Natural Killer T-Cells;
immunology
- From:
Frontiers of Medicine
2018;12(3):249-261
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Natural killer T cells are innate-like and tissue-resident lymphocytes, which recognize lipid antigens and are enriched in the liver. Natural killer T cells play important roles in infections, tumors, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic diseases. In this study, we summarize recent findings on biology of natural killer T cells and their roles in hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection, autoimmune liver diseases, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Controversial results from previous studies are discussed, and indicate the dynamic alteration in the role of natural killer T cells during the progression of liver diseases, which might be caused by changes in natural killer T subsets, factors skewing cytokine responses, and intercellular crosstalk between natural killer T cells and CD1d-expressing cells or bystander cells.
