Natural killer cell education in human health and disease

Curr Opin Immunol. 2018 Feb:50:102-111. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2017.11.003. Epub 2018 Feb 3.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells maintain immune homeostasis by detecting and eliminating damaged cells. Simultaneous activating and inhibitory input are integrated by NK cells, with the net signal prompting cytotoxicity and cytokine production, or inhibition. Chief among the inhibitory ligands for NK cells are 'self' human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, which are sensed by killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). Through a process called 'education', the functional capabilities of each NK cell are counterbalanced by their sensitivity for inhibition by co-inherited 'self' HLA. HLA and their ligands, the killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), are encoded by polymorphic, polygenic gene loci that segregate independently, therefore, NK education and function differ even between related individuals. In this review, we describe how variation in NK education, reactivity and sensitivity for inhibition impacts reproductive success, infection, cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism
  • Autoimmunity
  • Communicable Diseases / etiology
  • Communicable Diseases / metabolism
  • Disease Resistance / immunology
  • Disease Susceptibility*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity*
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pregnancy