Natural killer cells: a review of biology,

Role of chemokines in the biology of natural killer cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells represent a major subpopulation of lymphocytes. These cells have effector functions as they recognize and kill transformed cells as well as microbially infected cells. In addition, alloreactive NK cells have been successfully used to treat patients with acute myeloid leukemia and other hematological malignancies. NK cells are also endowed with immunoregulatory function...

Increased Natural Killer Cells Activity in Schizophrenic Patients

Background: Schizophrenia has been associated with altered immunity. Different studies regarding natural killer cell activity (NKA) in schizophrenic patients have shown inconsistent results. Objectives: To evaluate NK cell activity in schizophrenic patients in comparison with healthy control individuals.   Methods: 30 medication-free schizophrenic patients and 41 healthy sex, age and smoking st...

Biology and clinical relevance of human natural killer cells.

Deciphering the biology of NKG2C+ natural killer cells

The classic division of the immune system into an innate and an adaptive branch has been one of the dominant paradigms for immunologists shaping both questions and interpretations in the field for many years. This traditional concept has been challenged recently and the once clear boundaries are beginning to blur. Exciting new findings demonstrate that during the course of an immune response, N...

Inositol phospholipid signaling and the biology of natural killer cells.

A family of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) isoenzymes catalyzes the production of second messengers that recruit critical regulators of cell growth, survival, proliferation and motility. Conversely, 3'-(phosphatase and tensin homolog) and 5'-inositol polyphosphatases (SH2-containing inositol phosphatases 1/2, SHIP1/2) are recruited to sites of PI3K signaling at the plasma membrane to oppose o...