We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Profiling killers; unravelling the pathways of human natural killer cell function.
- Authors
Scott, Gina B.; Meade, Josephine L.; Cook, Graham P.
- Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes with an innate ability to recognize and kill infected cells and tumour cells. Unlike B and T cells, NK cells do not express an antigen receptor. Instead, NK cells detect changes in the phenotype of the target cell surface; malignant transformation or infection resulting in the loss or gain of particular molecules that are detected by inhibitory or activating receptors on the NK cell surface. The identification and characterization of NK cells and their receptors was made possible by monoclonal antibody technology. The ease with which genes and gene products can now be identified and manipulated has accelerated our understanding of NK cell function. Furthermore, gene and protein profiling studies are beginning to refine our understanding of NK cells, their interactions with other cells and their effector mechanisms. This review illustrates some of the basic features of NK cell biology and highlights the contribution made by post-genomic technology in defining the molecular mechanisms by which NK cells identify and kill susceptible targets.
- Subjects
CELL physiology; KILLER cells; IMMUNE response; PROTEOLYTIC enzymes; CYTOLOGY
- Publication
Briefings in Functional Genomics & Proteomics, 2008, Vol 7, Issue 1, p8
- ISSN
1473-9550
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/bfgp/elm037