Glycolipids from the gut symbiont Bacteroides fragilis are agonists for natural killer T cells and induce their regulatory differentiation.

ABSTRACT: Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are a lipid-antigen reactive T cell subset that is restricted to the antigen presenting molecule CD1d. They possess diverse functional properties that contribute to inflammatory and regulatory immune responses. The most studied lipid antigen target for these T cells is α-galactosylceramide (αGC). The commensal organism Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) produces several forms of αGC, but conflicting information exists about the influence of these lipids on NKT cells. Herein, we report the total synthesis of a major form of αGC from B. fragilis (Bf αGC), and several analogues thereof. We confirm the T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated recognition of these glycolipids by mouse and human NKT cells. Despite the natural structure of Bf

SUBMITTER: Cameron G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10370605 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature