Natural Killer T Cells in Various Mouse Models of Hepatitis

Figure 4

CD1d on hepatocytes present lysoPE to activate iiNKT cells. DCs secrete IL-12 to trigger iNKT cell activation. Activated NKT cells contribute to NK cell activation. Activated NKT and NK cells secrete IFN-γ to clear HBV. IFN-γ also enhances CD8⁺ T cell immunity. Activated hepatic iNKT cells secrete IL-4 and IL-13 to activate HSCs and enhance liver fibrosis. HSCs can inhibit the antifibrotic effect of NK cells by secreting TGF-β. Figure created with BioRender (https://biorender.com). Abbreviations: (+): activate; (-): inhibit; PE: phosphatidylethanolamine; TCR: T cell antigen receptor; NK: natural killer cell; NKT: natural killer T cell; IFN-γ: interferon-γ; HBV: hepatitis B virus; DC: dendritic cell; IL: interleukin; TGF-β: transforming growth factor-β; HSC: hepatic stellate cell.