Natural Killer Cells: A Mystery No More

Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanism regulating natural killer (NK) cell function. NK cells can sense whether cells have lost the surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐class I molecules. The discovery of MHC‐class I‐sp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of immunology 2002-03, Vol.55 (3), p.229-232
Main Authors: Moretta, L., Biassoni, R., Bottino, C., Mingari, M. C., Moretta, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergy and Immunology
Animals
Awards and Prizes
Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - metabolism
Humans
Immunity, Innate
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
Lymphoproliferative Disorders - genetics
Lymphoproliferative Disorders - immunology
Neoplasms - immunology
Receptors, Immunologic - metabolism
Sweden
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Summary:Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanism regulating natural killer (NK) cell function. NK cells can sense whether cells have lost the surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐class I molecules. The discovery of MHC‐class I‐specific inhibitory receptors clarified the basis of this discrimination and elucidated the nature of the ‘off’ signal. However, the receptors responsible for the ‘on’ signal in the process of natural cytotoxicity remained mysterious until recently. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of such receptors and discuss the emerging implications of these findings in different diseases.
ISSN:0300-9475
1365-3083
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-3083.2002.01055.x