title: Natural killer cells and the immune response in solid organ transplantation.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells have been characterized classically for their cytotoxicity against pathogen infected or stressed cells as well as for their role in monitoring the expression of self MHC I. However, the participation of NK cells in solid organ transplantation (SOT) is poorly defined due to conflicting clinical and animal model data. Preclinical models have shown that NK cells exacerbate T-cell allogeneic responses during rejection, but can also promote tolerance induction under immunosuppressive conditions. Further, while protocols such as costimulatory blockade effectively induce tolerance by blocking T-cell activation and promoting Treg generation, how such regimens regulate other innate and adaptive immune cells, including NK cells, is incomplete. This review examines NK cells and the regulation of their effector functions in SOT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gene and Cell Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van der Touw
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bromberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents