Molecular mechanisms of natural killer cell regulation.
Summary of "Molecular mechanisms of natural killer cell regulation."
Natural Killer (NK) cells are important for early immune reactions against viral infections and cancer. They are regulated by a highly redundant system of different activating and inhibitory receptors. Here we summarize our current understanding about the regulation of these cells and describe how mathematical modeling and systems biology approaches can help to shed some light on the complex regulatory network that governs NK cell reactivity.
Affiliation
Institute for Immunology, University Heidelberg, INF 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany, and Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors-IfADo, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139 Dortmund, Germany.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Frontiers in bioscience : a journal and virtual library
ISSN: 1093-4715
Pages: 1418-32
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22201812
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Killer Cells, Natural
Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.
Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
Receptors that are specifically found on the surface of NATURAL KILLER CELLS. They play an important role in regulating the cellular component of INNATE IMMUNITY.
T-lymphocytes, Cytotoxic
Immunized T-lymphocytes which can directly destroy appropriate target cells. These cytotoxic lymphocytes may be generated in vitro in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC), in vivo during a graft-versus-host (GVH) reaction, or after immunization with an allograft, tumor cell or virally transformed or chemically modified target cell. The lytic phenomenon is sometimes referred to as cell-mediated lympholysis (CML). These CD8-positive cells are distinct from NATURAL KILLER CELLS and NATURAL KILLER T-CELLS. There are two effector phenotypes: TC1 and TC2.
Natural Killer T-cells
A specialized subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES that exhibit features of INNATE IMMUNITY similar to that of NATURAL KILLER CELLS. They are reactive to glycolipids presented in the context of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like molecule, CD1D ANTIGEN.
Receptors, Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering
A subclass of natural killer cell receptors that perform an important role in the recognition of tumor cells by NK CELLS.
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