Cell biological steps and checkpoints in accessing NK cell cytotoxicity.
Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity is governed by the formation of a lytic immune synapse in discrete regulated steps, which give rise to an extensive array of cellular checkpoints in accessing NK cell-mediated cytolytic defense. Appropriate progression through these cell biological steps is critical for the directed secretion of specialized secretory lysosomes and subsequent target cell death. Here we highlight recent discoveries in the formation of the NK cell cytolytic synapse as well as the molecular steps and cell biological checkpoints required for this essential host defense process.
Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Emily M
EM
Mace
Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Prachi
P
Dongre
Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Hsiang-Ting
HT
Hsu
Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Papiya
P
Sinha
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Ashley M
AM
James
Case Western Reserve Medical School, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Shaina S
SS
Mann
Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Lisa R
LR
Forbes
Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Levi B
LB
Watkin
Center for Human Immunobiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Jordan S
JS
Orange
D000818:Animals; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D054992:Immunological Synapses / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*