Involvement of activating NK cell receptors and their modulation in pathogen immunity

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2011:2011:152430. doi: 10.1155/2011/152430. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

Abstract

Natural Killer (NK) cells are endowed with cell-structure-sensing receptors providing inhibitory protection from self-destruction (inhibitory NK receptors, iNKRs, including killer inhibitory receptors and other molecules) and rapid triggering potential leading to functional cell activation by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokine receptors, and activating NK cell receptors including natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs, i.e., NKp46, NKp46, and NKp44). NCR and NKG2D recognize ligands on infected cells which may be endogenous or may directly bind to some structures derived from invading pathogens. In this paper, we address the known direct or indirect interactions between activating receptors and pathogens and their expression during chronic HIV and HCV infections.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • HIV / immunology
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Macaca
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology
  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / immunology*
  • Tuberculosis / immunology
  • Tuberculosis / virology

Substances

  • Receptors, Natural Killer Cell