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The natural killer gene complex: a genetic basis for understanding natural killer cell function and innate immunity
Author(s) -
Brown Michael G.,
Scalzo Anthony A.,
Matsumoto Keiko,
Yokoyama Wayne M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.1997.tb00939.x
Subject(s) - biology , innate immune system , natural killer cell , gene , immunity , function (biology) , immunology , innate lymphoid cell , cell , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , immune system , cytotoxicity , in vitro
Summary: The natural killer gene complex encodes proteins, some of which are structurally unrelated, that impact on NK‐cell function. Detailed analyses have indicated that these molecules are involved in NK‐cell recognition, activation, and inhibition. The importance of this genomic region is highlighted by studies indicating that NKC‐associated genes significantly influence NK cell‐mediated innate host defense against life‐threatening pathogens and that the NKC is conserved among diverse species. Thus, further elucidation of the NKC and its gene products will provide a genetic basis for understanding innate immunity and NK‐cell activity at the molecular level.