Fig. 6. Schematic representation of the relationship between exacerbation of atherosclerotic lesions by microbial lipids and activation of NKT cells by microbial lipids.

NKT cells may aggravate the lesion development of atherosclerosis via soluble or cellular factors produced in response to direct activation by pathogen-derived glycolipids (represented by α-GalCer) or indirect activation by LPS via recognition of self-derived glycolipids in the presence of CD1d.