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Current Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8673
ISSN (Online): 1875-533X

α-Galactosylceramide: Potential Immunomodulatory Activity and Future Application [General Articles]

Author(s): Yoshihiro Hayakawa, Dale I. Godfrey and Mark J. Smyth

Volume 11, Issue 2, 2004

Page: [241 - 252] Pages: 12

DOI: 10.2174/0929867043456115

Price: $65

Abstract

α-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), is a glycolipid which has been identified as a ligand recognized by a special group of immune T cells, known as invariant NKT cells. γ-GalCer can powerfully activate invariant NKT cells to produce immunoregulatory cytokines, including interferon-α and IL-4, and thereby exert a variety of subsequent effects on other cells in the immune system. Recent studies have revealed the mechanism of α- GalCer-induced iNKT cell-activation in immune responses to tumors and microbes, and in the suppression of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we discuss the potential immunomodulatory activity of α-GalCer and its possible future application for clinical studies in humans.

Keywords: Galactosylceramide, immunomodulatory, GalCer


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