[HTML][HTML] Invariant natural killer T cells developing in the human fetus accumulate and mature in the small intestine
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are CD1d-restricted immunoregulatory lymphocytes that
share characteristics of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Although it has been
reported that iNKT cells are present in the human fetal thymus, it is currently unknown how
they distribute, differentiate, and function in fetal peripheral lymphoid and non-lymphoid
organs. Here, we show that functional human fetal iNKT cells develop and differentiate in a
tissue-specific manner during the second trimester. Fetal iNKT cells accumulated in the …
share characteristics of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Although it has been
reported that iNKT cells are present in the human fetal thymus, it is currently unknown how
they distribute, differentiate, and function in fetal peripheral lymphoid and non-lymphoid
organs. Here, we show that functional human fetal iNKT cells develop and differentiate in a
tissue-specific manner during the second trimester. Fetal iNKT cells accumulated in the …