title: The biology of the human natural killer cell.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells in the human are a population of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) with at least one unique surface antigen not expressed on cells of other lineages. NK-target-cell interaction appears to involve carbohydrate recognition and, following binding, the NK cells are induced to generate O2-, transmethylate membrane phospholipids, and activate phospholipase A2. Some or all of these activities trigger a cascade of events which ultimately leads to the secretion of a substance toxic to the target cell. A variety of genes controls various steps in this cytolytic pathway. There is a good deal of evidence in the mouse, and some in the human, that NK cells play a role in host surveillance against tumor development, resistance to viral infections, and, possibly, hematopoietic regulation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D013481:Superoxides