Whatever turns you on: accessory-cell-dependent activation of NK cells by pathogens

Kirsty C Newman, Eleanor M Riley

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Natural killer (NK) cells have a crucial role in combating infections and cancers and their surface receptors can directly recognize and respond to damaged, transformed or non-self cells. Whereas some virus-infected cells are recognized by this same route, NK-cell responses to many pathogens are triggered by a different mechanism. Activation of NK cells by these pathogens requires the presence of accessory cells such as monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. Recent studies have identified numerous pathogen-recognition receptors that enable accessory cells to recognize different pathogens and subsequently transmit signals--both soluble and contact-dependent--to NK cells, which respond by upregulating their cytotoxic potential and the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)279-91
Number of pages13
JournalNature Reviews Immunology
Volume7
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2007

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells/immunology
  • Bacterial Infections/immunology
  • Cell Communication/immunology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
  • Receptor Cross-Talk/immunology
  • Signal Transduction/immunology
  • Virus Diseases/immunology

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