title: Natural killer cells in human health and disease.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that are critical in host defense and immune regulation. They are activated or inhibited through the ligation of germline-encoded receptors and are involved in mediating cytotoxicity, in producing cytokines and in providing co-stimulation to cells of the adaptive immune system. NK cells play important roles in viral infections, autoimmunity, pregnancy, cancer and bone marrow transplantation. This review highlights recent developments in the understanding of the role of human NK cells in health and disease.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Allergy and Immunology, 3615 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Orange@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Jordan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Orange
authors.forename: Zuhair K
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Ballas
mesh_terms: D017690:Cell Transplantation; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D004194:Disease; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011971:Receptors, Immunologic