Fig. 1
From: Tailored design of NKT-stimulatory glycolipids for polarization of immune responses
Activation of NKT cells by α-galactosylceramide and its analogs. CD1d molecule on the antigen presenting cells (APCs) presents α-galactosylceramide and various analogs, such as phenyl α-GalCer (C34) and OCH, to the Vα14 T cell receptor (TCR) of iNKT cells, and triggers the activation of iNKT cells to secrete cytokines, e.g. interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Modification of the α-GalCer at its acyl chain or phytosphingosine chain can manipulate the iNKT cells to produce different amount of IL-4 or IFN-γ to polarize immune response toward Th1 or Th2