TY - JOUR
T1 - Role of common-gamma chain cytokines in NK cell development and function
T2 - Perspectives for immunotherapy
AU - Ferrini, Silvano
AU - Meazza, Raffaella
AU - Azzarone, Bruno
AU - Orengo, Anna Maria
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - NK cells are components of the innate immunity system and play an important role as a first-line defense mechanism against viral infections and in tumor immune surveillance. Their development and their functional activities are controlled by several factors among which cytokines sharing the usage of the common cytokine-receptor gamma chain play a pivotal role. In particular, IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 are the members of this family predominantly involved in NK cell biology. In this paper, we will address their role in NK cell ontogeny, regulation of functional activities, development of specialized cell subsets, and acquisition of memory-like functions. Finally, the potential application of these cytokines as recombinant molecules to NK cell-based immunotherapy approaches will be discussed.
AB - NK cells are components of the innate immunity system and play an important role as a first-line defense mechanism against viral infections and in tumor immune surveillance. Their development and their functional activities are controlled by several factors among which cytokines sharing the usage of the common cytokine-receptor gamma chain play a pivotal role. In particular, IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 are the members of this family predominantly involved in NK cell biology. In this paper, we will address their role in NK cell ontogeny, regulation of functional activities, development of specialized cell subsets, and acquisition of memory-like functions. Finally, the potential application of these cytokines as recombinant molecules to NK cell-based immunotherapy approaches will be discussed.
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U2 - 10.1155/2011/861920
DO - 10.1155/2011/861920
M3 - Article
C2 - 21716670
AN - SCOPUS:80052661219
VL - 2011
JO - Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology
JF - Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology
SN - 1110-7243
M1 - 861920
ER -