Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells were originally defined as effector lymphocytes of innate immunity characterized by the unique ability of killing tumor and virally infected cells without any prior priming and expansion of specific clones. The "missing-self" theory, proposed by Klas Karre, the seminal discovery of the first prototypic HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors, and, later, of the Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors (NCRs) by Alessandro Moretta, provided the bases to understand the puzzling behavior of NK cells. Actually, those discoveries proved crucial also for many of the achievements that, along the years, have contributed to the modern view of these cells. Indeed, NK cells, besides killing susceptible targets, are now known to functionally interact with different immune cells, sense pathogens using TLR, adapt their responses to the local environment, and, even, mount a sort of immunological memory. In this review, we will specifically focus on the main activating NK receptors and on their crucial role in the ever-increasing number of functions assigned to NK cells and other innate lymphoid cells (ILCs).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1415 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Immunology |
| Volume | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 19 2019 |
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An Historical Overview : The Discovery of How NK Cells Can Kill Enemies, Recruit Defense Troops, and More. / Vitale, Massimo; Cantoni, Claudia; Della Chiesa, Mariella; Ferlazzo, Guido; Carlomagno, Simona; Pende, Daniela; Falco, Michela; Pessino, Annamaria; Muccio, Letizia; De Maria, Andrea; Marcenaro, Emanuela; Moretta, Lorenzo; Sivori, Simona.
In: Frontiers in Immunology, Vol. 10, 19.06.2019, p. 1415.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - An Historical Overview
T2 - The Discovery of How NK Cells Can Kill Enemies, Recruit Defense Troops, and More
AU - Vitale, Massimo
AU - Cantoni, Claudia
AU - Della Chiesa, Mariella
AU - Ferlazzo, Guido
AU - Carlomagno, Simona
AU - Pende, Daniela
AU - Falco, Michela
AU - Pessino, Annamaria
AU - Muccio, Letizia
AU - De Maria, Andrea
AU - Marcenaro, Emanuela
AU - Moretta, Lorenzo
AU - Sivori, Simona
PY - 2019/6/19
Y1 - 2019/6/19
N2 - Natural killer (NK) cells were originally defined as effector lymphocytes of innate immunity characterized by the unique ability of killing tumor and virally infected cells without any prior priming and expansion of specific clones. The "missing-self" theory, proposed by Klas Karre, the seminal discovery of the first prototypic HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors, and, later, of the Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors (NCRs) by Alessandro Moretta, provided the bases to understand the puzzling behavior of NK cells. Actually, those discoveries proved crucial also for many of the achievements that, along the years, have contributed to the modern view of these cells. Indeed, NK cells, besides killing susceptible targets, are now known to functionally interact with different immune cells, sense pathogens using TLR, adapt their responses to the local environment, and, even, mount a sort of immunological memory. In this review, we will specifically focus on the main activating NK receptors and on their crucial role in the ever-increasing number of functions assigned to NK cells and other innate lymphoid cells (ILCs).
AB - Natural killer (NK) cells were originally defined as effector lymphocytes of innate immunity characterized by the unique ability of killing tumor and virally infected cells without any prior priming and expansion of specific clones. The "missing-self" theory, proposed by Klas Karre, the seminal discovery of the first prototypic HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors, and, later, of the Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors (NCRs) by Alessandro Moretta, provided the bases to understand the puzzling behavior of NK cells. Actually, those discoveries proved crucial also for many of the achievements that, along the years, have contributed to the modern view of these cells. Indeed, NK cells, besides killing susceptible targets, are now known to functionally interact with different immune cells, sense pathogens using TLR, adapt their responses to the local environment, and, even, mount a sort of immunological memory. In this review, we will specifically focus on the main activating NK receptors and on their crucial role in the ever-increasing number of functions assigned to NK cells and other innate lymphoid cells (ILCs).
U2 - 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01415
DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01415
M3 - Review article
C2 - 31316503
VL - 10
SP - 1415
JO - Frontiers in Immunology
JF - Frontiers in Immunology
SN - 1664-3224
ER -