NKT cells: characteristic features and functional significance in the immune response regulation

   A lymphocyte lineage which is referred to as NKT cells expresses both markers of NK cells and T lymphocytes. NKT cells play a key role in the regulation of different types of immune responses, contribute to the protection from tumor growth and metastasis, from different intracellular infections and from development of autoimmune diseases. NKT cells are of vital importance in the induction of antitumoral immune response due to their production of IFN-γ which activates NK cells, CD8+ T lymphocytes and macrophages.