自然杀伤T细胞(NKT细胞)是免疫细胞中一类具有特定标志的T细胞亚群，能特异性识别由抗原呈递细胞表面CD1d分子所呈递的糖脂类抗原。活化后的NKT细胞能分泌多种细胞因子，参与机体的天然免疫和获得性免疫反应，还能直接杀伤靶细胞，具有效应细胞的功能。研究发现，NKT细胞在抗胞内菌感染中发挥着重要作用。

Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) are a unique subset of the mature T lymphocytes, and can recognize glycolipids presented by CDld molecules expressed on antigen-presenting cells through cell recognition pathway. After activation, NKT cells can secrete large mounts of cytokines which involve in innate immune and acquired immune response. NKT cells can also act as direct effector cells via cytolysis or granulysin. Studies have shown that NKT cells play an important role in anti-intracellular bacterial infection.