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NK cell recognition of unconventional ligands
Author(s) -
Huntington Nicholas D
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.2014.6
Subject(s) - biology , natural killer cell , immunology , cell , immunotherapy , lymphokine activated killer cell , neuroscience , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , t cell , interleukin 21 , in vitro , cytotoxic t cell , biochemistry , genetics
The March 2014 issue contains a Special Feature on NK cell recognition of unconventional ligands . Natural Killer (NK) cells are bone marrow derived lymphocytes capable of mediating rapid effector responses following pathogen detection in mammals. The name “Natural Killer” derives from the ability of these cells to spontaneously lyse a large range of leukemia cell lines in vitro without prior sensitization. The reviews included in this Special Feature of Immunology and Cell Biology highlight the multifaceted roles of NK cells in detecting unconventional ligands and countering a large range of pathogens and malignancies. Covering a range of topics, including the way adhesion molecules and activating receptors are central to NK cell recognition of their targets, the reviews also highlight some of the challenges that lie ahead in harnessing NK cell function and advancing NK cell immunotherapy strategies to persistent infection, cancer and bone marrow transplantation. Immunology and Cell Biology thanks the coordinator of this Special Feature – Nicholas Huntington – for his planning and input. Further background information on this important topic is available through the accompanying web focus which links to related articles from across Nature Publishing Group.