title: Different checkpoints in human NK-cell activation.
abstract: After the discovery, in humans and mice, of inhibitory natural killer (NK) receptors specific for MHC class I molecules, the mechanism by which NK cells kill tumor or virus-infected cells was thought to be clarified: NK cells would kill those target cells that have lost, or underexpress, MHC class I molecules. However, a more complex scenario has recently emerged. For example, certain NK cells express insufficient amounts of triggering receptors, and target cells can lack ligands for such receptors. Thus, it appears that the activation of NK cells and their potentially harmful effector functions are under the control of different checkpoints.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Largo Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova-Quarto, Italy. lorenzomoretta@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moretta
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bottino
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pende
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mingari
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moretta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D054340:Receptors, KIR
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR