title: Dynamic Regulation of NK Cell Responsiveness.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells deliver cytotoxic granules and immunomodulatory cytokines in response to transformed and virally infected cells. NK cell functions are under the control of a large number of germline-encoded receptors that recognize various ligands on target cells, but NK cells also respond to cytokines in the surrounding environment. The interaction between NK cell receptors and their ligands delivers either inhibitory or activating signals. The cytokine milieu further shapes NK cell responses, either directly or by influencing the way inhibitory or activating signals are perceived by NK cells. In this review, we discuss how NK cell function is controlled by inhibitory receptors and MHC-I molecules, how activating receptors contribute to NK cell education, and finally, how cytokines secreted by the surrounding cells affect NK cell responsiveness. Inputs at these three levels involve different cell types and are seamlessly integrated to form a functional NK cell population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Nadir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kadri
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Arnika Kathleen
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sridharan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ganesan
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Klas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kärre
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Stina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wickström
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden. petter.hoglund@ki.se.
authors.forename: Petter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Höglund
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D055607:Receptors, Natural Killer Cell