科研之友
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摘要
Natural killer (NK) cells critically participate in the immune surveillance against tumors and are pivotal regulators of the adaptive immune through the secretion of cytokines and the cytotoxic function. NKG2D and NKp46 are two key receptors involved in these processes. Howeverr, NK cells are targets of tumor immune escape mechanisms such as ntracellular retention of MICA (MHC class I chain-related protein A) in the endoplasmic reticulum of certain human melanomas. NK cells also become activated in a cooperative manner by cytokines (IL-12 or IFN-alpha) and Toll like receptors, an effect that is potentiated by tumors that promote engagement of NKG2D. Moreover, tumor cell-T cell contact induce secretion of IFN-gamma by NK cells through acquisition of tumor-derived NKG2D and NKp46 ligands by T cells, which subsequently promote NKG2D- and NKp46-dependent NK cell stimulation. Therefore, cells from the adaptive immune response regulate the activity of cells of the innate immune response, which may have relevance during anti-tumor immunity. Also, some anti-neoplastic drugs impair an NK cell function, which reduces their therapeutic efficacy. In summary, NK cells have a great immunotherapeutic potential but to fully exploit it, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern their effector function must be elucilated first.
- 出版日期2011-12
