Natural Killer Cells: Key Players in Autoimmune Diseases |...

Natural Killer Cells: Key Players in Autoimmune Diseases

Posted 2023-04-20 13:58:31

NK cells are identified by the presence of surface receptors that allow them to recognize cells that are under stress or have been infected with a virus. These receptors include killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), and NKG2D. Once an NK cell has identified a target cell, it can kill it through several mechanisms, including the release of cytotoxic granules containing perforin and granzymes, the induction of apoptosis through the Fas-FasL pathway, and the secretion of cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) that can activate other immune cells. Natural Killer Cells are derived from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and mature in the peripheral tissues, including the spleen and lymph nodes. The maturation of NK cells is characterized by changes in their expression of surface receptors, cytokine responsiveness, and cytotoxic function. The development of NK cells is regulated by cytokines such as IL-15, which is critical for their survival and proliferation.