Abstract
Natural killer cells represent a highly specialized lymphoid population with a potent cytolytic activity against virus-infected or tumor cells. Their function is regulated by a series of inhibiting or activating signals. The mechanisms by which NK cells kill susceptible target cells was thought to be elucidated after the discovery of inhibitory receptors specific for MHC-class I molecules: NK cells would kill those target cells that lack MHC-class I molecules. However, the actual scenario revealed more complex with the discovery of activating receptors and their ligands. Thus, in certain pathological conditions, corticosteroid treatment or exposure to TGFβ, NK cells may under-express activating receptors. In addition, target cells may lack ligands for activating receptors and thus fail to activate NK cells upon cell-to-cell contact. This clearly implies that activation of NK cells and of their potent effector mechanism are under the control of different checkpoints.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7-13 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Immunology Letters |
| Volume | 100 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 15 2005 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Activating NK receptors
- Cellular ligands
- Inhibitory NK receptors
- Innate immunity
- NK cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy
Cite this
Human natural killer cells : Molecular mechanisms controlling NK cell activation and tumor cell lysis. / Moretta, Lorenzo; Bottino, Cristina; Pende, Daniela; Vitale, Massimo; Mingari, Maria Cristina; Moretta, Alessandro.
In: Immunology Letters, Vol. 100, No. 1, 15.08.2005, p. 7-13.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Human natural killer cells
T2 - Molecular mechanisms controlling NK cell activation and tumor cell lysis
AU - Moretta, Lorenzo
AU - Bottino, Cristina
AU - Pende, Daniela
AU - Vitale, Massimo
AU - Mingari, Maria Cristina
AU - Moretta, Alessandro
PY - 2005/8/15
Y1 - 2005/8/15
N2 - Natural killer cells represent a highly specialized lymphoid population with a potent cytolytic activity against virus-infected or tumor cells. Their function is regulated by a series of inhibiting or activating signals. The mechanisms by which NK cells kill susceptible target cells was thought to be elucidated after the discovery of inhibitory receptors specific for MHC-class I molecules: NK cells would kill those target cells that lack MHC-class I molecules. However, the actual scenario revealed more complex with the discovery of activating receptors and their ligands. Thus, in certain pathological conditions, corticosteroid treatment or exposure to TGFβ, NK cells may under-express activating receptors. In addition, target cells may lack ligands for activating receptors and thus fail to activate NK cells upon cell-to-cell contact. This clearly implies that activation of NK cells and of their potent effector mechanism are under the control of different checkpoints.
AB - Natural killer cells represent a highly specialized lymphoid population with a potent cytolytic activity against virus-infected or tumor cells. Their function is regulated by a series of inhibiting or activating signals. The mechanisms by which NK cells kill susceptible target cells was thought to be elucidated after the discovery of inhibitory receptors specific for MHC-class I molecules: NK cells would kill those target cells that lack MHC-class I molecules. However, the actual scenario revealed more complex with the discovery of activating receptors and their ligands. Thus, in certain pathological conditions, corticosteroid treatment or exposure to TGFβ, NK cells may under-express activating receptors. In addition, target cells may lack ligands for activating receptors and thus fail to activate NK cells upon cell-to-cell contact. This clearly implies that activation of NK cells and of their potent effector mechanism are under the control of different checkpoints.
KW - Activating NK receptors
KW - Cellular ligands
KW - Inhibitory NK receptors
KW - Innate immunity
KW - NK cells
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=24344505476&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=24344505476&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.imlet.2005.07.004
DO - 10.1016/j.imlet.2005.07.004
M3 - Article
VL - 100
SP - 7
EP - 13
JO - Immunology Letters
JF - Immunology Letters
SN - 0165-2478
IS - 1
ER -