Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in controlling murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and can mediate both cytokine production and direct cytotoxicity. The NK cell activation receptor, Ly49H, is responsible for genetic resistance to MCMV in C57BL/6 mice. Recognition of the viral m157 protein by Ly49H is sufficient for effective control of MCMV infection. Additionally, during the host resp...

NK cells are effector lymphocytes that can recognize and eliminate virally infected and transformed cells. NK cells express distinct activating receptors, including an ITAM-containing FcR complex that recognizes Ab-coated targets, and the DNAX-activating protein of 10 kDa-containing NKG2D receptor complex that recognizes stress-induced ligands. The regulatory role of specific tyrosine kinases i...

In the present study, we explored the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) on lymphocyte function and the receptor mechanisms mediating the effect. Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity were used to assess function of the T lymphocytes and the NK cells from rat spleens. Muscarinic ACh receptors (mA ChRs) agonist pilocarpine and antagon...

NK cells, a component of the innate immune system, provide a first line of defense against viral infections and malignancies, interact with the adaptive immune system and have a role in rejection of allogeneic bone marrow transplants and solid allo- and xenotransplants. Immunoregulatory activity by the anti-hypercholesterolemia agents, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase ...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of massage therapy (MT) on the immune system of preterm infants. The primary hypothesis was that MT compared with sham therapy (control) will enhance the immune system of stable premature infants by increasing the proportion of their natural killer (NK) cell numbers. METHODS A randomized placebo-controlled trial of MT versus sham...

Efficient immune responses require interactions between cell adhesion molecules on lymphocytes and counter-receptors on antigen presenting cells or target cells. While target-specific receptors or ligands have not been identified for natural killer (NK) cells, cell adhesion molecules have been implicated in the interaction between NK cell effectors and tumor cell targets. Herein, we describe mo...

The relative contribution to cytotoxicity of each of the multiple NK cell activation receptors has been difficult to assess. Using Drosophila insect cells, which express ligands of human NK cell receptors, we show that target cell lysis by resting NK cells is controlled by different receptor signals for cytolytic granule polarization and degranulation. Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 o...

Natural killer (NK) cells are reproducibly mobilized into the circulation in response to intense physical exercise or acute psychological stress, and altered expression of adhesion molecules potentially contributes to NK-cell mobilization. Studies of leukocyte mobilization during acute stress have used psychological stressors which facilitate tight experimental control but have limited applicab...

Cytotoxic activity is one of the major functions of Natural Killer (NK) cells and is a critical effector mechanism of innate immune responses against infected or cancer cells. A variety of assays have been developed to determine NK cell cytotoxic activity, however a receptor-based screening tool is still lacking. Here, we propose the CD25 receptor as a candidate for NK cell cytotoxicity marker....

Natural killer (NK) cells are critical effectors of the immune system. NK cells recognize unhealthy cells by specific ligands [e.g., MHC- class I chain related protein A or B (MIC-A/B)] for further elimination by cytotoxicity. Paradoxically, cancer cells down-regulate MIC-A/B and evade NK cell's anticancer activity. Recent data indicate that cellular-stress induces MIC-A/B, leading to enhanced ...