Natural Killer Cells: From Innate to Adaptive Features

Overview

Journal Annu Rev Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2021 Apr 27

PMID 33902312

Citations 88

Authors

Adriana M Mujal

Rebecca B Delconte

Joseph C Sun

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that provide critical host defense against pathogens and cancer. Originally heralded for their early and rapid effector activity, NK cells have been recognized over the last decade for their ability to undergo adaptive immune processes, including antigen-driven clonal expansion and generation of long-lived memory. This review presents an overview of how NK cells lithely partake in both innate and adaptive responses and how this versatility is manifest in human NK cell-mediated immunity.

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