Bone Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand.
Immunol Cell Biol. 2010 Jan;88(1):24-31. doi: 10.1038/icb.2009.91. Epub 2009 Nov 24.
Natural killer (NK) cells are vital effector cells of innate immunity because of their rapid cytotoxic and cytokine-producing responses to cell stress or infection. A distinguishing feature of NK cells is the ability to balance these signals with those of normal homeostasis through the expression of an array of inhibitory and activating receptors. Two functional subsets of NK cells exist: the more mature CD56(dim) population is potently cytotoxic, whereas CD56(bright) NK cells have low cytotoxicity but produce much greater amounts of cytokines, and express homing molecules for secondary lymphoid organs and sites of inflammation. NK cells have been identified as important modulatory cells in shaping adaptive immune responses by interacting with dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells. NK cells also interact with cells of the innate immune system such as monocytes and macrophages. This review outlines the biology of NK cells and the potential role of NK cells in modulating gouty inflammation.
自然杀伤 (NK) 细胞是先天免疫的重要效应细胞，因为它们能够快速对细胞应激或感染产生细胞毒性和细胞因子反应。NK 细胞的一个显著特征是能够通过表达一系列抑制性和激活性受体，平衡这些信号与正常体内平衡的信号。NK 细胞存在两种功能亚群：更成熟的 CD56(dim)群体具有强大的细胞毒性，而 CD56(bright)NK 细胞细胞毒性较低，但能产生更多的细胞因子，并表达用于次级淋巴器官和炎症部位的归巢分子。NK 细胞通过与树突状细胞 (DC) 和 T 细胞相互作用，被确定为调节适应性免疫反应的重要调节细胞。NK 细胞还与先天免疫系统的细胞相互作用，如单核细胞和巨噬细胞。本文概述了 NK 细胞的生物学特性以及 NK 细胞在调节痛风炎症中的潜在作用。
