title: Natural killer cells: In health and disease.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells constitute our bodies' frontline defense system, guarding against tumors and launching attacks against infections. The activities of NK cells are regulated by the interaction of various receptors expressed on their surfaces with cell surface ligands. While the role of NK cells in controlling tumor activity is relatively clear, the fact that they are also linked to various other disease conditions is now being highlighted. Here, we present an overview of the role of NK cells during normal body state as well as under diseased state. We discuss the possible utilization of these powerful cells as immunotherapeutic agents in combating diseases such as asthma, autoimmune diseases, and HIV-AIDS. This review also outlines current challenges in NK cell therapy.
authors.affiliation: Regenerative Medicine, Reliance Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Dhirubhai Ambani Life Sciences Centre, R-282, TTC Industrial Area of MIDC, Thane Belapur Road, Rabale, Navi Mumbai 400 701, India.
authors.forename: Arundhati
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.affiliation: Regenerative Medicine, Reliance Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Dhirubhai Ambani Life Sciences Centre, R-282, TTC Industrial Area of MIDC, Thane Belapur Road, Rabale, Navi Mumbai 400 701, India. Electronic address: chandra.viswanathan@ril.com.
authors.forename: Chandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viswanathan
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Immunotherapy; NK cells and HIV1; NK cells and autoimmunity; NK cells and cancer; Natural killer (NK) cells