title: Natural killer cells and innate immunity to protozoan pathogens.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphoid cells that mediate significant cytotoxic activity and produce high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to infection. During viral infection, NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production is induced principally by monocyte-macrophage- and dendritic cell-derived cytokines but virally encoded ligands for NK cells are also beginning to be described. NK derived interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production is also essential for control of several protozoal infections including toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and malaria. The activation of NK cells by protozoan pathogens is also believed to be cytokine-mediated although some recent studies suggest that direct recognition of parasites by NK cells also occurs. Both indirect signalling via accessory cell-derived cytokines and direct signalling, presumably through NK receptors, are needed in order for human malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum) to optimally stimulate NK activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Korbel
authors.forename: Olivia C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Finney
authors.forename: Eleanor M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Riley
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011971:Receptors, Immunologic