Control of Human Viral Infections by Natural Killer Cells

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are effector cells of the innate immune system and are important in the control of viral infections. Their relevance is reflected by the multiple mechanisms evolved by viruses to evade NK cell-mediated immune responses. Over recent years, our understanding of the interplay between NK cell immunity and viral pathogenesis has improved significantly. Here, we review the role of NK cells in the control of four important viral infections in humans: cytomegalovirus, influenza virus, HIV-1, and hepatitis C virus.

Natural Killer Cell Subsets Distribution in Spontaneously Resolved and Chronic Persistent Hepatitis C Virus Infection

“…In our study we noticed an expansion in CD56 +bright CD16 − NK cells in chronic HCV patients compared to healthy controls and spontaneously resolved individuals. This result was consistent with Ferlazzo et al [21] and Dessouki et al [15] and Jost et al [22].…”

“…Jost and co-workers [22] mentioned that altered NK cell subset distributions are unlikely to be due to selective sequestration in the liver because NK cells are not expanded in HCV-infected livers only and their numbers in blood positively correlated with those in liver.…”

RNA-binding proteins regulate the expression of the immune activating ligand MICB

“…N atural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that are able to discriminate between self and non/altered-self to eliminate virally infected, transformed and damaged cells [1][2][3] . In addition, NK cells regulate and support developmental processes such as fetal growth during pregnancy 4 .…”

KIR and a specific HLA-C gene are associated with susceptibility and resistance to hepatitis B virus infection in a Brazilian population

“…1,5,6 In this study, INF-c production by T cells was measured to observe the regulatory effect of T cells on NK cell activity via INF-c. Higher NK cell activity (93%63.1%, P50.005) was observed in SHRs compared to HBV carriers (58%62.5%) and OBI cases (57%62.3%), and INF-c production by T cells was higher in SHRs (185262.2 Intracytoplasmic cytokine staining (ISCs)/10 6 PBMCs, P,0.0001) compared to OBI cases (65362.0 ISCs/10 6 PBMCs) and HBV carriers (68562.3 ISCs/ 10 6 PBMCs). Higher T-cell responses and INF-c production correlated with higher NK cell activity (P,0.0001).…”