Invariant NKT cell development: focus on NOD mice

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are non-conventional T lymphocytes expressing a TCRαβ and several NK cell markers. Once activated, they can rapidly secrete large amounts of cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-4. As a result they can favor both Th1 and Th2 immune responses and play a critical role in anti-pathogenic immune responses as well as in regulation of autoimmune diseases. It has now been clearly established that iNKT cells can be subdivided into three subpopulations: iNKT1, iNKT2 and iNKT17 cells. Each of these populations is characterized by the expression of a particular transcription factor, surface markers and cytokines making them functionally distinct. Interestingly, NOD mice developing autoimmune diabetes exhibit a high frequency of iNKT17 cells, which can participate in the disease.