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Natural killer cells and interferon

R M Welsh

    Critical Reviews in Immunology
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for tumor surveillance. Interferon activates NK cells to enhance cytotoxicity against tumors, but also makes tumor cells resistant to NK cell attack.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Cell Biology
    • Cancer Research

    Background:

    • Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes vital for innate immunity and tumor surveillance across vertebrates.
    • NK cells exhibit selective cytotoxicity against tumor targets.
    • Interferons (IFNs) are key regulators of immune responses.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of interferons in modulating NK cell activity and target cell susceptibility.
    • To explore the complex interactions between NK cells, tumor cells, and interferons.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing literature on NK cell function and interferon signaling.
    • Analysis of experimental data on NK cell activation and target cell resistance.

    Main Results:

    • Interferons (alpha, beta, gamma) significantly enhance NK cell cytotoxicity.
    • Interferon treatment confers resistance to NK cell-mediated lysis on target cells.
    • NK cells share properties with interferon-producing cells in leukocyte cultures.

    Conclusions:

    • Interferon-activated NK cells play a dual role in tumor surveillance by increasing their own potency while potentially protecting tumor cells.
    • Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.

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