Natural Killer T (NKT) Cells and Periodontitis: Potential Regulatory Role of NKT10 Cells

Figure 3

Distribution of NKT cells during their maturation in the mice thymus. During their maturation process, the NKT precursor cells located in the thymic cortex migrate towards the medulla to maturate and acquire the phenotypes NKT1, NKT2, or NKT17. In the thymic medulla, steady-state NKT2 cells produce IL-4 and promote the activation of medullar thymocytes. Conversely, NKT1 and NKT17 cells return to the cortical area. IL, interleukin; NKT, natural killer T cell; NKTp, Natural Killer T cell precursor. (Created with http://BioRender.com).