Immunobiology roles of the human CD161 receptor in T cells

Human C-type lectin-like molecule CD161 is a type II transmembrane protein expressed on the surface of various lymphocytes within both the innate and adaptive immune systems. CD161 serves as a marker for innate-like T cells and IL-17-producing cells. However, the meaning of these T cells expressing...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bainan Tong, Mingxuan Wang, Lu Liu, Xinyue Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1648305/full
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Summary:Human C-type lectin-like molecule CD161 is a type II transmembrane protein expressed on the surface of various lymphocytes within both the innate and adaptive immune systems. CD161 serves as a marker for innate-like T cells and IL-17-producing cells. However, the meaning of these T cells expressing CD161 has not yet been fully determined. Is CD161 merely a phenotypic marker used to identify T cells that are in a common state of activation and/or lineage? Or does this C-type lectin itself have important effector functions? This article aims to explore the latest research progress on CD161-expressing T cells, particularly human αβTCR+T and γδTCR +T cells, and evaluate the importance of CD161 expression on immune function and human diseases through this research.
ISSN:1664-3224