Cytokine dependent and independent iNKT cell activation

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells have been extensively studied throughout the last decade due to their ability to polarize and amplify the downstream immune response. Only recently however, have the various mechanisms underlying NKT cell activation begun to unfold. iNKT cells have the ability to respond as innate immune cells with minimal TCR involvement as well as through direct TCR recognition of glycolipid antigens. Additionally, the existence of several subsets of iNKT cells creates the potential for other unique pathways, which are not yet clearly defined. Here, we provide an overview of the known mechanisms of invariant NKT cell activation, focusing on cytokine driven pathways and the resulting cytokine responses.