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Science 28 November 1997:
Vol. 278. no. 5343, p. 1541
DOI: 10.1126/science.278.5343.1541i
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An unusual subset of T cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells, all have the same T cell receptor and all bear some NK cell markers; two reports show that they play a role in fighting tumors. Cui et al. (p. 1623) now show that these cells seem to be indispensable for the control of syngenic tumors mediated by interleukin-12. The mechanism involves the production of interferon gamma by these cells. Kawano et al. (p. 1626) found that NKT cells recognize a galactosylceramide lipid found in marine sponges in the context of CD1d; an analog of this lipid may be the natural ligand for antigen recognition. Addition of galactosylceramide in a model of tumor metastasis activated these cells and inhibited development of tumor metastases. Activation of the NKT cells is similar to T cells, but their effector function is more like NK cells.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)