title: Functions of natural killer cells.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are effector lymphocytes of the innate immune system that control several types of tumors and microbial infections by limiting their spread and subsequent tissue damage. Recent research highlights the fact that NK cells are also regulatory cells engaged in reciprocal interactions with dendritic cells, macrophages, T cells and endothelial cells. NK cells can thus limit or exacerbate immune responses. Although NK cells might appear to be redundant in several conditions of immune challenge in humans, NK cell manipulation seems to hold promise in efforts to improve hematopoietic and solid organ transplantation, promote antitumor immunotherapy and control inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Université de la Méditerranée, case 906, Campus de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France. vivier@ciml.univ-mrs.fr
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vivier
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tomasello
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baratin
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Walzer
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ugolini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006789:Host vs Graft Reaction / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology