Unveiling the regulation of NKT17 cell differentiation and function

Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) are distinct from conventional T cells. iNKT cells express a semi-invariant T cell receptor (TCR) that can specifically recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d, an MHC class I-like antigen-presenting molecule. Currently, iNKT cells are distinguished in three functionally distinct subsets. Each subset is defined by lineage-specifying factors: T-bet shapes the fate of NKT1 subset that mainly secretes IFN gamma, Gata3 specifies the NKT2 subset that produces robustly IL-4 whereas ROR gamma t seals the differentiation of NKT17 subset that secretes IL-17. In the present review, the focus is placed on the regulation of NKT17 specification and their function.