Role and Regulation of CD Id in Normal and Pathological B Cells.

CD Id is a nonpolymorphic, MHC class I-like molecule that presents phospholipid and glycosphingolipid Ags to a subset of CD 1 d-restricted T cells called invariant NKT (iNKT) cells. This CDld-iNKT cell axis regulates nearly all aspects of both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Expression of CD Id on B cells is suggestive of the ability of these cells to present Ag to, and form cognate interactions with, iNKT cells. In this article, we summarize key evidence regarding the role and regulation of CD Id in normal B cells and in humoral immunity. We then extend the discussion to B cell disorders, with emphasis on autoimmune disease, viral infection, and neoplastic transformation of B lineage cells, in which CD Id expression can be altered as a mechanism of immune evasion and can have both diagnostic and prognostic importance. Finally, we highlight current and future therapeutic strategies that aim to target the CDld-iNKT cell axis in B cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]