Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
Autoimmunity. 2011 Feb;44(1):3-10. doi: 10.3109/08916931003782122. Epub 2010 Aug 11.
Natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system are equipped with a cytolytic machinery and produce cytokines, which enable these cells to profoundly modify adaptive immune responses to foreign invaders, as well as to self-antigens. Here we discuss the recent advances in understanding how NK cells can proactively influence sequential pathogenic steps that are instrumental for the initiation and progression of autoimmune diseases in human and experimental disease models. We also discuss the possible use of NK cells as a surrogate marker for disease activity and responsiveness to immune therapy. Finally, we present results on NK cell-based therapies in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders with a focus on existing challenges and current promises for the development of more effective therapies.
自然杀伤 (NK) 细胞是先天免疫系统的重要组成部分，它们具有细胞毒性机制，并产生细胞因子，使这些细胞能够深刻地调节对外国侵略者以及自身抗原的适应性免疫反应。在这里，我们讨论了最近在理解 NK 细胞如何主动影响对人类和实验疾病模型中自身免疫性疾病的起始和进展至关重要的连续发病步骤方面的进展。我们还讨论了将 NK 细胞用作疾病活动和对免疫治疗反应的替代标志物的可能性。最后，我们介绍了基于 NK 细胞的治疗在炎症和自身免疫性疾病中的结果，重点介绍了现有挑战和为开发更有效的治疗方法所做的努力。
