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Related Concept Videos

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

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The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
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The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
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Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
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Immune surveillance is an integral part of the innate immune system, involving the continuous monitoring of peripheral tissues to detect and respond to pathogens, infected cells, or cancerous cells. This surveillance is conducted primarily by natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytes, which employ distinct but complementary mechanisms to identify and eliminate threats.
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Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells
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Human NK cell response to pathogens.

Mariella Della Chiesa1, Emanuela Marcenaro1, Simona Sivori1

  • 1DI.ME.S. Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy.

Seminars in Immunology
|March 4, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Natural killer (NK) cells are key to innate immunity against microbes. Receptor interactions at the immune synapse dictate target cell fate, with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and KIRs emerging in NK cell activation and pathogen recognition.

Keywords:
Anti-viral responseBCGHCMVHIVNatural killer cellsToll-like receptors

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Innate Immunity
  • Cellular Immunology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial innate immune effectors protecting against microbes.
  • NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity relies on receptor/ligand interactions at the immune synapse.
  • NK cell activation and pathogen recognition involve activating KIRs and Toll-like receptors (TLRs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of NK cells in innate immunity and antimicrobial responses.
  • To understand the impact of viral infections on NK cell maturation and function.
  • To investigate the implications of NK cell subset imbalances in disease states.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of receptor/ligand interactions at the effector/target immune synapse.
  • Investigation of NK cell activation via NCR, TLRs, and KIRs.
  • Examination of NK cell subpopulations in viral infections (HIV, HCMV) and post-HSCT.

Main Results:

  • NK cell fate is determined by specific receptor/ligand interactions.
  • TLRs and activating KIRs are increasingly recognized for their role in NK cell activation and pathogen recognition.
  • Viral infections, such as HIV and HCMV, can lead to aberrant NK cell subpopulations and impaired antiviral activity.
  • NK cells developing after CMV reactivation may exhibit memory-like properties with anti-leukemia potential.

Conclusions:

  • NK cell function is critical for controlling microbial infections.
  • TLRs and KIRs play synergistic roles in NK cell activation and immune response regulation.
  • Dysfunctional NK cell subsets arise during chronic viral infections and post-HSCT, impacting immune defense.
  • NK cells generated post-CMV reactivation show potential for anti-leukemia therapy.