In summary, CD56 + T cells expressing NKG2D, especially in the NKG2D<sup>Hi</sup> population may be involved in pathogenesis and severity of T2D via IL-17.
CD4+ T cells and particularly, CD4+CD28<sup>null</sup>T subset of T2D patients were highly expressed NKG2D and more prevalent compared to non-diabetic individuals (ND) (P=0.039 and P=0.022, respectively).