The role and mechanism of invariant natural killer T cells in liver anti-tumor immunity

VernacularTitle:恒定的自然杀伤T淋巴细胞在肝脏抗肿瘤免疫中的作用与机制
Author: Xiangjin HU ¹ ; Yao GAO ; Jun LYU
Author Information

1. Department of Hepatopathy and Cancer Biotherapy, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
Publication Type:Research Article
Keywords: Natural Killer T-Cells; Killer Cells, Natural; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
From: Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2021;37(1):188-191
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a T lymphocyte subset derived from the thymus and can express both natural killer cell-related receptors and T cell receptor. The iNKT cells are widely distributed in the body and are enriched in the liver, and they exhibit unique functional characteristics and can secrete cytokines and regulate the activity of other immune cells in microenvironment, so as to achieve the role of immune surveillance and disease prevention; especially in tumor microenvironment, iNKT cells can stimulate anti-tumor immune response and reverse immunosuppressive microenvironment in the liver. This article reviews the biological characteristics of iNKT cells and their special role in liver immune homeostasis, especially the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of iNKT cells.