Balancing natural killer cell activation through paired receptors.
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that are crucial for the control of infections and malignancies. NK cells express a variety of inhibitory and activating receptors that facilitate fine discrimination between damaged and healthy cells. Among them, a family of molecules that bind nectin and nectin-like proteins has recently emerged and has been shown to function as an important regulator of NK cell functions. These molecules include CD226, T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains (TIGIT), CD96, and cytotoxic and regulatory T cell molecule (CRTAM). In this Review, we focus on the recent advances in our understanding of how these receptors regulate NK cell biology and of their roles in pathologies such as cancer, infection and autoimmunity.
1] Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia. [2] Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité Mixte de Recherche 1037, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Toulouse F-31000, France.
Ludovic
L
Martinet
1] Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia. [2] School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia.
Mark J
MJ
Smyth
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D008024:Ligands; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell