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NK cells and apoptosis
Author(s) -
Warren Hilary S,
Smyth Mark J
Publication year - 1999
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 - 10.1046/j.1440-1711.1999.00790.x
Subject(s) - effector , lymphokine activated killer cell , immune system , cytolysis , innate immune system , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , nk 92 , natural killer cell , immunology , interleukin 21 , secretion , natural killer t cell , innate lymphoid cell , cell , cytotoxic t cell , t cell , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics
Natural killer (NK) cells are a cell of the innate immune system that play an important role in the early response to viral infections and tumours. Natural killer cells are cytolytic, and secrete cytokines that influence the developing antigen‐specific immune response. In the present article the NK cell surface molecules regulating effector function, the NK cell effector mechanisms involved in apoptosis, and the role of NK cell effector mechanisms in immune responses are reviewed.