mTOR and its tight regulation for iNKT cell development and effector function

• mTOR is crucial for early iNKT cell development and function.
• The RasGRP1-Ras-Erk1/2 pathway activates mTOR signaling and diacylglycerol kinases negatively control mTOR signaling.
• Tight control of mTOR signaling ensures proper iNKT cell development and effector lineage differentiation.

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells, which express the invariant Vα14Jα18 TCR that recognizes lipid antigens, have the ability to rapidly respond to agonist stimulation, producing a variety of cytokines that can shape both innate and adaptive immunity. iNKT cells have been implicated in host defense against microbial infection, in anti-tumor immunity, and a multitude of diseases such as allergies, asthma, graft versus host disease, and obesity. Emerging evidence has demonstrated crucial role for mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in immune cells, including iNKT. In this review we will discuss current understanding of how mTOR and its tight regulation control iNKT cell development, effector lineage differentiation, and function.