The role of cytokine in regulation of the natural killer cell activity

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are characterized by a CD3-CD16+ CD56+ immunophenotype and have a central role in the innate immune system. They are defined by their capacity to kill certain tumour-target cells or virus infected cells without prior sensitization or MHC-restriction.The activity of the NK cells is determined by the balance between activation and inhibitory receptor molecules expressed on the surface of NK cells. However, several cytokines and chemokines can significantly modulate their activity, inducing increase of NK cell activity. Immunomodulation mediated by NK cells is very important mechanism in tumour immunity, as well as in other immunodepressions of the immune system. In this study, we summarize the role of several cytokines, including IFN, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-12 and IL-17, on NK cell function. The NK cells, after activation, depending on cytokine environment, can differentiate into NK1 cells that produce Th1 cytokine type (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-12) or NK2 cells that produce Th2 type cytokines, enhance exocytosis and release of previously formed molecules from NK cells (granzyme, perforin). We also describe that the release of cytokines and mediators show local or distance effects, or induce apoptosis (mostly by secreted TNF-alpha) after binding appropriated killer cell receptors from TNF receptor superfamily.

Effect of Oral Atorvastatin on CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells, FoxP3 Expression, and Prognosis in Patients With ST-Segment Elevated Myocardial Infarction Before Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

“…31 Accumulating evidence has pointed to a critical role for Tregs in reducing the immune responses of NK cells. Findings showed that Tregs suppress NK cell effector functions both in vitro and in vivo, thus inhibiting homeostatic proliferation, cytotoxicity, and IFN-g production.…”

Prolonged paradoxical reaction to antituberculous treatment after discontinuation of TNF-alpha- blocker therapy with adalimumab. Rare clinical documentation

“…Immunomodulation mediated by NK cells is very important mechanism in tumor immunity, as well as in other immunodepressions of the immune system. TNF- alpha induces cell apoptosis and immune reactions [15]. …”

Visceral leishmaniasis as a cause of postpartum pyrexia — case report

“…Interestingly, it has recently been shown that pregnancy alters the equilibrium of cytokines towards the Th2 and away from the Th1 pattern during the antiparasite response in pregnant mice (T cell-mediated immune-response patterns, Th1 secreting IL-2, INF-g, and TNF-b, and Th2 secreting IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, and IL-13, identified among mouse CD4 Th clones) [7,8,10]. This shift in cytokine pattern provides an explanation for the increased susceptibility to Leishmania infection in pregnant mice, and possibly in pregnant women, as was the case with our patient [7,9].…”