Natural Killer Cells: License to Kill

AUTOIMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA

“The lowest form of survival is killing”.

Elias Canetti

KN Melkova1, ZhV Sharoyan1, GP Frolov2

1 “The Guide to Health” Clinic Twelve, 8 bld. 1 1812 goda str., Moscow, Russian Federation, 121170

2 Emergency Medical Radiation Measurement Center, AI Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, 46 bld. 8 Zhivopisnaya str., Moscow, Russian Federation, 123098

For correspondence: Zhanna Vardanovna Sharoyan, 8 bld. 1 1812 goda str., Moscow, Russian Federation, 121170; Tel.: +7(963)642-94-83; e-mail: clinic12.mos@gmail.com

For citation: Melkova KN, Sharoyan ZhV, Frolov GP. Natural Killer Cells: License to Kill. Clinical oncohematology. 2020;13(3):273–9 (In Russ).

DOI: 10.21320/2500-2139-2020-13-3-273-279

ABSTRACT

Natural killers (NK) were first described as large granular lymphocytes capable of destroying tumor and virus-infected cells without prior sensitization. The article deals with NK biology and specific features of their maturation and “licensing”. Particular attention is given to NK mechanisms and their differences from other lymphocytes. The article focuses on the role of NK in antitumor immune development in oncohematological patients as well as healthy individuals, potential bone marrow donors.

Keywords: natural killers, maturation of natural killers, “licensing” of natural killers, natural killers in healthy individuals, antitumor immunity.

Received: March 10, 2020

Accepted: June 8, 2020

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