What markers do NK cells express?

While NK cells share many features with ILC1s including expression of the transcription factor T-bet and activation-induced production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, they also express the transcription factor, eomesodermin (Eomes), along with granzyme B and perforin, which ILC1s do not.

Can natural killer cells recognize tumor cells?

The recent discovery of novel NK receptors and their ligands has uncovered the molecular mechanisms that regulate NK activation and function. Several activating NK cell receptors and costimulatory molecules have been identified that permit these cells to recognize tumors and virus-infected cells.

How do NK cells recognize cancer cells?

The clonal distribution of these inhibitory receptors permits NK cell recognition of target cells that have lost expression of a single HLA-B or HLA-C allotype. Several activation receptors on NK cells have been identified that contribute to tumor cell recognition.

Do NK cells express CD3?

NK cells do not express cell-surface CD3, or any known target recognition structure analogous to the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) heterodimers (αβ or γδ)3–8.

How does NK cells recognize abnormal cells?

NK cells recognize abnormal or infected cells with activating receptors and inhibitory receptors. All normal cells in the body express MHC I to signal that those cells are part of the body.

What do NK cells look for?

NK cells are best known for killing virally infected cells, and detecting and controlling early signs of cancer. As well as protecting against disease, specialized NK cells are also found in the placenta and may play an important role in pregnancy.

Can NK cells cause cancer?

Named for their capability of killing target cells autonomously, natural killer (NK) cells serve as the main effector cells toward cancer in innate immunity and are highly heterogeneous in the microenvironment.

How do cancer cells hide from NK cells?

Cancer cells are able to evade immune responses by NK cells through a number of mechanisms. Cancer cells can increase the expression of MHC class I molecules to inhibit NK cell cytotoxic functions 30,31 and decrease the expression of NKG2D ligands to impair NK cell recognition.

Do NKT cells express CD11b?

The interaction of α-GalCer-presenting MDSCs with type I NKT cells increased expression of CD11b, CD11c, CD40, MHC II, and CD86 on MDSCs, which are markers of stimulatory APCs.