title: NK cells in central nervous system disorders.
abstract: NK cells are important players in immunity against pathogens and neoplasms. As a component of the innate immune system, they are one of the first effectors on sites of inflammation. Through their cytokine production capacities, NK cells participate in the development of a potent adaptive immune response. Furthermore, NK cells were found to have regulatory functions to limit and prevent autoimmunity via killing of autologous immune cells. These paradoxical functions of NK cells are reflected in CNS disorders. In this review, we discuss the phenotypes and functional features of peripheral and brain NK cells in brain tumors and infections, neurodegenerative diseases, acute vascular and traumatic damage, as well as mental disorders. We also discuss the implication of NK cells in neurotoxicity and neuroprotection following CNS pathology, as well as the crosstalk between NK cells and brain-resident immune cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Allergology, Public Research Center for Health, L-1526 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
authors.forename: Aurélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poli
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kmiecik
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Domingues
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hentges
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bléry
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chekenya
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boucraut
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zimmer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype