Journal article
Activating and inhibitory receptors of natural killer cells
HJ Pegram, DM Andrews, MJ Smyth, PK Darcy, MH Kershaw
Immunology and Cell Biology | Published : 2011
DOI: 10.1038/icb.2010.78
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potent immune effector cells that can respond to infection and cancer, as well as allowing maternal adaptation to pregnancy. In response to malignant transformation or pathogenic invasion, NK cells can secrete cytokine and may be directly cytolytic, as well as exerting effects indirectly through other cells of the immune system. To recognize and respond to inflamed or infected tissues, NK cells express a variety of activating and inhibitory receptors including NKG2D, Ly49 or KIR, CD94-NKG2 heterodimers and natural cytotoxicity receptors, as well as co-stimulatory receptors. These receptors recognize cellular stress ligands as well as major histocompatibility com..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
This work was supported by grants from The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC), The Cancer Council of Victoria, The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The Bob Parker Memorial Trust and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Foundation. MHK and PKD were supported by a Senior Research Fellowship and Career Development Awards from the National Breast Cancer Foundation and NHMRC. DMA was supported by a NHMRC Postdoctoral Fellowship and MJS was supported by a NHMRC Australia Fellowship.