title: Role of natural killer cells in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes which have long been alleged to play an immunoregulatory role in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Here, we briefly review NK cell features and the major findings from studies on NK cells in human and animals susceptible to multiple sclerosis (MS). Although most studies in human seem to suggest an association between disease and deficiencies in NK cells, it is also clear that NK cells can be both protective and pathogenic in MS models. These contrasting observations could result from differences in experimental procedures as well as from differences in NK cell subset targeted. Whatever the case, the functional features of these cells and their potential role in regulation of autoimmunity suggest that NK cell-based therapies might be an interesting approach for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology and Biotherapy, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.forename: Placido
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bramanti
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bonaccorsi
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montalto
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliveri
authors.forename: Gaetana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pezzino
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navarra
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferlazzo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology