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Natural killer cells: integrating diversity with function
Author(s) -
Cheent Kuldeep,
Khakoo Salim I.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2009.03045.x
Subject(s) - biology , natural (archaeology) , diversity (politics) , function (biology) , natural killer t cell , natural killer cell , immune system , population , immunology , evolutionary biology , genetics , sociology , t cell , cytotoxic t cell , paleontology , anthropology , in vitro , demography
Summary The key role of natural killer cells in many aspects of the immune response is now being recognized. The last decade has seen an exponential increase in our understanding of the workings of these cells. Receptor diversity is crucial in allowing natural killer cells to respond effectively to a variety of different pathogens. This article reviews aspects of natural killer cell diversity that combine to generate populations of functional natural killer cells that exist within both the individual and throughout the population at large.