Abstract
It is well established that natural killer (NK) cells are involved in both innate and adaptive immunity. Indeed, they can recognize molecules induced at the cell surface by stress signals and virus infections. The functions of NK cells in the gut are much more complex. Gut NK cells are not precisely organized in lymphoid aggregates but rather scattered in the epithelium or in the stroma, where they come in contact with a multitude of antigens derived from commensal or pathogenic microorganisms in addition to components of microbiota. Furthermore, NK cells in the bowel interact with several cell types, including epithelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, dendritic cells, and T lymphocytes, and contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis and development of efficient immune responses. NK cells have a key role in the response to intestinal bacterial infections, primarily through production of IFNγ, which can stimulate recruitment of additional NK cells from peripheral blood leading to amplification of the anti-bacterial immune response. Additionally, NK cells can have a role in the pathogenesis of gut autoimmune inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases are considered relevant to the generation of gastrointestinal malignancies. Indeed, the role of gut-associated NK cells in the immune response to bowel cancers is known. Thus, in the gut immune system, NK cells play a dual role, participating in both physiological and pathogenic processes. In this review, we will analyze the known functions of NK cells in the gut mucosa both in health and disease, focusing on the cross-talk among bowel microenvironment, epithelial barrier integrity, microbiota, and NK cells.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 961 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Immunology |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | MAY |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Colorectal carcinoma
- Gut-associated lymphoid tissues
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Innate lymphoid cells
- Natural killer cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
Cite this
Human gut-associated natural killer cells in health and disease. / Poggi, Alessandro; Benelli, Roberto; Venè, Roberta; Costa, Delfina; Ferrari, Nicoletta; Tosetti, Francesca; Zocchi, Maria Raffaella.
In: Frontiers in Immunology, Vol. 10, No. MAY, 961, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Human gut-associated natural killer cells in health and disease
AU - Poggi, Alessandro
AU - Benelli, Roberto
AU - Venè, Roberta
AU - Costa, Delfina
AU - Ferrari, Nicoletta
AU - Tosetti, Francesca
AU - Zocchi, Maria Raffaella
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - It is well established that natural killer (NK) cells are involved in both innate and adaptive immunity. Indeed, they can recognize molecules induced at the cell surface by stress signals and virus infections. The functions of NK cells in the gut are much more complex. Gut NK cells are not precisely organized in lymphoid aggregates but rather scattered in the epithelium or in the stroma, where they come in contact with a multitude of antigens derived from commensal or pathogenic microorganisms in addition to components of microbiota. Furthermore, NK cells in the bowel interact with several cell types, including epithelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, dendritic cells, and T lymphocytes, and contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis and development of efficient immune responses. NK cells have a key role in the response to intestinal bacterial infections, primarily through production of IFNγ, which can stimulate recruitment of additional NK cells from peripheral blood leading to amplification of the anti-bacterial immune response. Additionally, NK cells can have a role in the pathogenesis of gut autoimmune inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases are considered relevant to the generation of gastrointestinal malignancies. Indeed, the role of gut-associated NK cells in the immune response to bowel cancers is known. Thus, in the gut immune system, NK cells play a dual role, participating in both physiological and pathogenic processes. In this review, we will analyze the known functions of NK cells in the gut mucosa both in health and disease, focusing on the cross-talk among bowel microenvironment, epithelial barrier integrity, microbiota, and NK cells.
AB - It is well established that natural killer (NK) cells are involved in both innate and adaptive immunity. Indeed, they can recognize molecules induced at the cell surface by stress signals and virus infections. The functions of NK cells in the gut are much more complex. Gut NK cells are not precisely organized in lymphoid aggregates but rather scattered in the epithelium or in the stroma, where they come in contact with a multitude of antigens derived from commensal or pathogenic microorganisms in addition to components of microbiota. Furthermore, NK cells in the bowel interact with several cell types, including epithelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, dendritic cells, and T lymphocytes, and contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis and development of efficient immune responses. NK cells have a key role in the response to intestinal bacterial infections, primarily through production of IFNγ, which can stimulate recruitment of additional NK cells from peripheral blood leading to amplification of the anti-bacterial immune response. Additionally, NK cells can have a role in the pathogenesis of gut autoimmune inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases are considered relevant to the generation of gastrointestinal malignancies. Indeed, the role of gut-associated NK cells in the immune response to bowel cancers is known. Thus, in the gut immune system, NK cells play a dual role, participating in both physiological and pathogenic processes. In this review, we will analyze the known functions of NK cells in the gut mucosa both in health and disease, focusing on the cross-talk among bowel microenvironment, epithelial barrier integrity, microbiota, and NK cells.
KW - Colorectal carcinoma
KW - Gut-associated lymphoid tissues
KW - Inflammatory bowel disease
KW - Innate lymphoid cells
KW - Natural killer cells
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85066961240&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85066961240&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00961
DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00961
M3 - Review article
C2 - 31130953
AN - SCOPUS:85066961240
VL - 10
JO - Frontiers in Immunology
JF - Frontiers in Immunology
SN - 1664-3224
IS - MAY
M1 - 961
ER -