IFNG and pneumonia: Upon exposure to α-GalCer-mimicking glycolipid antigens derived from S. pneumonia, one of the causative pathogens of sepsis27, iNKT cells become activated and initiate inflammatory immune responses by secreting high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFNγ, which subsequently activate other immune cells including NK and γδ T cells, ultimately amplifying inflammation4,5.