The role of natural killer cells in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases

Katarzyna Popko; Elżbieta Górska

doi:10.5114/ceji.2015.56971

eISSN: 1644-4124
ISSN: 1426-3912

Central European Journal of Immunology

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4/2015
vol. 40

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abstract:

Review paper

The role of natural killer cells in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases

Katarzyna Popko

,

Elżbieta Górska

(Cent Eur J Immunol 2015; 40 (4): 470-476)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ceji.2015.56971

Online publish date: 2016/01/15

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There is growing evidence that NK cell-mediated immunoregulation plays an important role in the control of autoimmunity. NK cells are a subset of lymphocytes that generally contribute to innate immunity but have also a great impact on the function of T and B lymphocytes. The major role of NK cells is cytotoxic reaction against neoplastic, infected and autoreactive cells, but they regulatory function seems to play more important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Numerous studies suggested the involvement of NK cells in pathogenesis of such a common autoimmune diseases as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes and autoimmune thyroid diseases. The defects of NK cells regulatory function as well as cytotoxic abilities are common in patients with autoimmune diseases with serious consequences including HLH hemophagocytic lymphocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The early diagnosis of NK cells defect responsible for the loss of the protective abilities is crucial for the prevention of life-threatening complications and implementation of necessary treatment.

keywords:

The role of natural killer cells in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases

Katarzyna Popko , Elżbieta Górska

NK cells, autoimmune reaction, Hashimoto thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Katarzyna Popko

,

Elżbieta Górska