title: Unifying concepts of MHC-dependent natural killer cell education.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells, like B and T lymphocytes, are potent effector cells that are crucial for immunity to tumors and infections. These effector responses must be controlled to avoid inadvertent attack against normal self. Yet, the mechanisms that guide NK cell tolerance differ from those guiding T and B cell tolerance. Here, we discuss how NK cells are licensed by self-MHC class I molecules through their inhibitory receptors which results in NK cell functional competence to be triggered through their activation receptors. We discuss recent data with respect to issues related to licensing, thereby providing a framework for unifying concepts on NK cell education.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Graduate Program, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8045, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Wayne M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D060966:Clonal Selection, Antigen-Mediated; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / Q000276:immunology; D017634:Self Tolerance
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell