Development and tolerance of natural killer cells.
A natural killer (NK)/T-cell-restricted progenitor cell in the fetal blood, with a phenotype of NK1.1(+) CD117 (c-kit)+, can give rise to NK cells. IL-15 is probably required for NK cell differentiation and, in addition, stimulates expression of at least one of the MHC-specific inhibitory receptor families expressed by NK cells. Evidence supports the role of multiple mechanisms in rendering NK cells self tolerant - including selection for expression of self-specific inhibitory receptors, anergy and modulation of the cell surface levels of MHC-specific inhibitory receptors.
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D