Meazza Raffaella, Azzarone Bruno, Orengo Anna Maria, Ferrini Silvano
Immunology Unit, Department of Translational Oncology, National Institute for Cancer Research, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
J Biomed Biotechnol. 2011;2011:861920. doi: 10.1155/2011/861920. Epub 2011 Jun 13.
NK cells are components of the innate immunity system and play an important role as a first-line defense mechanism against viral infections and in tumor immune surveillance. Their development and their functional activities are controlled by several factors among which cytokines sharing the usage of the common cytokine-receptor gamma chain play a pivotal role. In particular, IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 are the members of this family predominantly involved in NK cell biology. In this paper, we will address their role in NK cell ontogeny, regulation of functional activities, development of specialized cell subsets, and acquisition of memory-like functions. Finally, the potential application of these cytokines as recombinant molecules to NK cell-based immunotherapy approaches will be discussed.
自然杀伤细胞是先天性免疫系统的组成部分，作为抵御病毒感染的一线防御机制以及在肿瘤免疫监视中发挥着重要作用。它们的发育和功能活动受多种因素控制，其中共享共同细胞因子受体γ链的细胞因子起着关键作用。特别是，白细胞介素-2、白细胞介素-7、白细胞介素-15和白细胞介素-21是这个主要参与自然杀伤细胞生物学的家族成员。在本文中，我们将探讨它们在自然杀伤细胞个体发生、功能活动调节、特殊细胞亚群发育以及获得记忆样功能中的作用。最后，将讨论这些细胞因子作为重组分子在基于自然杀伤细胞的免疫治疗方法中的潜在应用。
