Natural killer cell activation in mice and men: different triggers for similar weapons?
The signaling pathways that regulate B and T lymphocytes are remarkably conserved between humans and mice. However, recent evidence suggests that the pathways regulating natural killer (NK) cell activation may actually differ between these two species. We discuss the controversies in the field and propose that this divergence could be deceptive: despite some clear differences between human and mouse NK cell receptors, the many ways of activating NK cells and their functions may well be conserved.
Colucci
Francesco
F
Unit of Cytokines and Lymphoid Development, The Pasteur Institute, Paris, France. cecco@pasteur.fr
Di Santo
James P
JP
Leibson
Paul J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D013045:Species Specificity