title: NK cells and apoptosis.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are a cell of the innate immune system that play an important role in the early response to viral infections and tumours. Natural killer cells are cytolytic, and secrete cytokines that influence the developing antigen-specific immune response. In the present article the NK cell surface molecules regulating effector function, the NK cell effector mechanisms involved in apoptosis, and the role of NK cell effector mechanisms in immune responses are reviewed.
authors: Cancer Research Unit, Canberra Hospital, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Australia.
authors: H S
authors: HS
authors: Warren
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Smyth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor