Invariant natural killer T cells and their ligands: focus on multiple sclerosis.

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are an innate population of T cells identified by the expression of an invariant T-cell receptor and reactivity to lipid-based antigens complexed with CD1d. They account for a small percentage of lymphocytes, but are extremely potent and play central roles in immunity to infection, in some cancers, and in autoimmunity. The list of relevant stimulatory lipids and glycolipid antigens now includes a range of endogenous self-antigens including the myelin-derived acetylated galactosylceramides. Recent progress in studies to identify the nature of lipid recognition for iNKT cells in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis is likely to foster the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at harnessing iNKT cell activity.