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Functions of natural killer cells

Nature Immunology volume 9, pages 503–510 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are effector lymphocytes of the innate immune system that control several types of tumors and microbial infections by limiting their spread and subsequent tissue damage. Recent research highlights the fact that NK cells are also regulatory cells engaged in reciprocal interactions with dendritic cells, macrophages, T cells and endothelial cells. NK cells can thus limit or exacerbate immune responses. Although NK cells might appear to be redundant in several conditions of immune challenge in humans, NK cell manipulation seems to hold promise in efforts to improve hematopoietic and solid organ transplantation, promote antitumor immunotherapy and control inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

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Figure 1: The NK cell–target cell 'zipper'.
Figure 2: NK cell trafficking.
Figure 3: Regulation of immune responses by NK cells.
Figure 4: NK cell functions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the past and present members of the E.V. lab, and in particular S. Guia and C. Cognet. We also thank K. Hoebe for communication of unpublished results and C. Beziers-Lafosse for help with the illustrations. Because of space limitations, certain studies could not be quoted, and we apologize to colleagues for such omissions. Supported by INSERM, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the European Union ('ALLOSTEM'), Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer ('Equipe labellisée La Ligue'), the Agence Nationale de la Recherche ('Réseau Innovation Biotechnologies'; 'Microbiologie Immunologie – Maladies Emergentes'; 'Maladies Rares'; 'Plates-Formes Technologiques du Vivant'), Institut National du Cancer, Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche and Institut Universitaire de France.

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  1. Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Université de la Méditerranée, case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille, 13288, France

    Eric Vivier, Elena Tomasello, Myriam Baratin, Thierry Walzer & Sophie Ugolini

  2. INSERM, U631, case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille, 13288, France

    Eric Vivier, Elena Tomasello, Myriam Baratin, Thierry Walzer & Sophie Ugolini

  3. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR6102, case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille, 13288, France

    Eric Vivier, Elena Tomasello, Myriam Baratin, Thierry Walzer & Sophie Ugolini

  4. Hôpital de la Conception, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Marseille, 147 boulevard Baille, Marseille, 13385, France

    Eric Vivier

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Correspondence to Eric Vivier.

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E.V. is a founder, consultant and shareholder of Innate-Pharma.

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Vivier, E., Tomasello, E., Baratin, M. et al. Functions of natural killer cells. Nat Immunol 9, 503–510 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni1582

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