title: NK cell subsets and their role in allergy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  NK cells represent a distinct lymphocyte population with extensive cytolytic activity and a variety of other functions, including regulation of hemopoiesis, suppressor functions and immunoglobulin production. Recently, reports suggest that NK cells also display potent regulatory functions via secretion of cytokines or cell-contact-dependent mechanisms. Thus NK cells may regulate innate and adaptive immune responses and play a role in immune homeostasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  NK cells play important roles in viral infections, autoimmunity, pregnancy, cancer and bone marrow transplantation. Although the role of NK cells in allergic diseases is poorly described, recent findings suggest their role in allergy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent developments in the study of NK cell subsets have support their role in allergic diseases that contribute to allergen-specific immune suppression, allergen-specific T(H)1 cell generation as well as IgE and other Ig production.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Institute of Experimental Medicine (DETAE), Istanbul, Turkey. gdeniz@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: Gunnur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deniz
authors.forename: Mubeccel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akdis
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell