Natural killer cells in liver diseases / 医学前沿
Frontiers of Medicine
;
(4): 269-279, 2018.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-771318
ABSTRACT
The liver has been characterized as a frontline lymphoid organ with complex immunological features such as liver immunity and liver tolerance. Liver tolerance plays an important role in liver diseases including acute inflammation, chronic infection, autoimmune disease, and tumors. The liver contains a large proportion of natural killer (NK) cells, which exhibit heterogeneity in phenotypic and functional characteristics. NK cell activation, well known for its role in the immune surveillance against tumor and pathogen-infected cells, depends on the balance between numerous activating and inhibitory signals. In addition to the innate direct "killer" functions, NK cell activity contributes to regulate innate and adaptive immunity (helper or regulator). Under the setting of liver diseases, NK cells are of great importance for stimulating or inhibiting immune responses, leading to either immune activation or immune tolerance. Here, we focus on the relationship between NK cell biology, such as their phenotypic features and functional diversity, and liver diseases.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Autoimmune Diseases
/
Killer Cells, Natural
/
Allergy and Immunology
/
Adaptive Immunity
/
Immune Tolerance
/
Immunity, Innate
/
Liver Diseases
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Frontiers of Medicine
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
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