Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are highly motile cells that patrol lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs, and are poised to react to infectious or other inflammatory situations. Several NK cell subsets equipped with different sets of chemotactic G-protein-coupled receptors, and which display distinct distribution across lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs, have been described. These receptors detect various guidance cues including sphingosine-1-phosphate and chemokines that orchestrate NK cell trafficking. Here, we highlight recent advances regarding the receptors involved in NK cell migration, with a focus on bone marrow egress, entry into activated lymph nodes, extravasation into inflamed tissues, and motility within lymph nodes or tumors. Understanding NK cell migration could provide a rational basis for the design of novel therapies in various clinical conditions.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
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Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
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Cell Communication / immunology
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Cell Movement / immunology*
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Chemokines / immunology
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Chemokines / metabolism
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Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
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Dendritic Cells / immunology
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Dendritic Cells / metabolism
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Humans
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Immunity, Innate*
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Inflammation / immunology*
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Inflammation / metabolism
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Inflammation / pathology
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
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Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
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Liver / cytology
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Liver / immunology
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Liver / metabolism
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Lymph Nodes / cytology
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Lymph Nodes / immunology
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Lymph Nodes / metabolism
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Lysophospholipids* / immunology
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Lysophospholipids* / metabolism
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Mice
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Neoplasms / immunology*
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Neoplasms / metabolism
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Neoplasms / pathology
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Receptors, Chemokine / immunology
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Receptors, Chemokine / metabolism
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / immunology
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / metabolism
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Signal Transduction / immunology*
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Sphingosine / analogs & derivatives*
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Sphingosine / immunology
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Sphingosine / metabolism
Substances
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Chemokines
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Lysophospholipids
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Receptors, Chemokine
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
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sphingosine 1-phosphate
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Sphingosine