Natural Killer Cells in Viral Hepatitis

Natural Killer Cells in Viral Hepatitis

Natural killer (NK) cells are traditionally regarded as first-line effectors of the innate immune response, but they also have a distinct role in chronic infection. Here, we review the role of NK cells against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), two agents that cause acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. Interest in NK cells was initially sparked by genetic studies that demons...

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...

Viral hepatitis--the silent killer.

Natural killer cells in hepatitis C: Current progress.

Patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are characterized by a high incidence of chronic infection, which results in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The functional impairment of HCV-specific T cells is associated with the evolution of an acute infection to chronic hepatitis. While T cells are the important effector cells in adaptive immunity, natural...

Natural killer cells in hepatitis C virus infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection induces the long-term risk of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma and in adults represents the most common cause of liver transplantation. Natural killer (NK) cells participate in innate immune responses with efficient direct antitumor and antiviral defense. Over the years, their complex interaction with downstream adaptive responses and with the regula...