title: Type I interferon regulation of natural killer cell function in primary and secondary infections.
abstract: The priming of natural killer (NK) cells by type I interferon (IFN) is necessary for protection against primary and secondary viral infections. However, the pathway by which type I IFN activates NK cells to elicit antiviral responses is controversial. There is evidence to suggest that type I IFN priming of NK cells occurs through both direct and indirect pathways. As with many innate mechanisms, type I IFN and NK cells also orchestrate the adaptive immune response and thus aid in protection against secondary infections. Type I IFN can shape CD4(+) T cell, B cell and humoral memory formation. In addition, long-lived NK cells can perform specific and enhanced memory-like protection in secondary infections. This review outlines the different mechanisms underlying type I IFN regulation of NK cells and how type I IFN and NK cells can be used as a therapeutic target in vaccinations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, MDCL 4015, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Michele L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stackaruk
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ashkar
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007370:Interferon Type I