NK cell subsets and dysfunction during viral infection: a new avenue for therapeutics?

ABSTRACT: In the setting of viral challenge, natural killer (NK) cells play an important role as an early immune responder against infection. During this response, significant changes in the NK cell population occur, particularly in terms of their frequency, location, and subtype prevalence. In this review, changes in the NK cell repertoire associated with several pathogenic viral infections are summarized, with a particular focus placed on changes that contribute to NK cell dysregulation in these settings. This dysregulation, in turn, can contribute to host pathology either by causing NK cells to be hyperresponsive or hyporesponsive. Hyperresponsive NK cells mediate significant host cell death and contribute to generating a hyperinflammatory environment. Hyporesponsive NK cell populations shift tow

SUBMITTER: Bjorgen JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10620977 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature