title: Cellular liaisons of natural killer lymphocytes in immunology and immunotherapy of cancer.
abstract: There is compelling evidence for the role of natural killer (NK) cells in tumor immunosurveillance and their beneficial effects on many experimentally successful immunotherapy strategies. NK cells mediate cell contact-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, but do not rearrange antigen receptors. Their activation depends on various germline-encoded receptors, including CD16, which mediates recognition of antibody-coated target cells. NK cytotoxicity is checked by a repertoire of inhibitory receptors that scan adequate expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules on the potential target cell. Functional cross-talk of NK and dendritic cells suggests a critical role for NK cells in the initiation and regulation of cellular immunity. Considerable knowledge on the molecular basis of NK recognition/activation contrasts with a lack of successful translational research on these matters. However, there is plenty of opportunity for targeted intervention of inhibitory/activatory surface receptors and for adoptive cell therapy with autologous or allogeneic NK cells.
authors.affiliation: University of Navarra, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada and Clinica Universitaria, Gene Therapy Unit, Avda. Pio XII 55, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ainhoa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arina
authors.forename: Oihana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Murillo
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dubrot
authors.forename: Arantza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azpilikueta
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alfaro
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pérez-Gracia
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bendandi
authors.forename: Belen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Palencia
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hervás-Stubbs
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive / Q000379:methods; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell