Role of natural killer cells in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis.
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.
Morandi
Barbara
B
Laboratory of Immunology and Biotherapy, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Italy.
Bramanti
Placido
P
Bonaccorsi
Irene
I
Montalto
Erika
E
Oliveri
Daniela
D
Pezzino
Gaetana
G
Navarra
Michele
M
Ferlazzo
Guido
G
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