Formation and function of the lytic NK-cell immunological synapse

JS Orange - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2008 - nature.com
JS Orange
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2008nature.com
The natural killer (NK)-cell immunological synapse is the dynamic interface formed between
an NK cell and its target cell. Formation of the NK-cell immunological synapse involves
several distinct stages, from the initiation of contact with a target cell to the directed delivery
of lytic-granule contents for target-cell lysis. Progression through the individual stages is
regulated, and this tight regulation underlies the precision with which NK cells select and kill
susceptible target cells (including virally infected cells and cancerous cells) that they …
Abstract
The natural killer (NK)-cell immunological synapse is the dynamic interface formed between an NK cell and its target cell. Formation of the NK-cell immunological synapse involves several distinct stages, from the initiation of contact with a target cell to the directed delivery of lytic-granule contents for target-cell lysis. Progression through the individual stages is regulated, and this tight regulation underlies the precision with which NK cells select and kill susceptible target cells (including virally infected cells and cancerous cells) that they encounter during their routine surveillance of the body.
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