Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells exert important immunoregulatory functions by releasing several inflammatory molecules, such as IFN-γ and members of chemokines, which include CCL3/MIP-1α and CCL4/MIP-1β. These cells also express heptahelical receptors, which are coupled to heterotrimeric G proteins that guide them into inflamed and injured tissues. NK cells have been shown to recognize and destroy transformed cells and virally-infected cells, but their roles in neurodegenerative diseases have not been examined in detail. In this review, I will summarize the effects of NK cells in two neurodegenerative diseases, namely multiple sclerosis and globoid cell leukodystrophy. It is hoped that the knowledge obtained from these diseases may facilitate building rational protocols for treating these and other neurodegenerative or autoimmune diseases using NK cells and drugs that activate them as therapeutic tools.
Highlights
The immune system is composed of a network of cells and proteins that act in concert to defend the body against diseases
More than 90% of natural killer (NK) cells are found in the blood circulation, whereas less than 10% are found in tissues, such as spleen, liver and lungs [8]
NK cells have been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease [20,21], this review will focus on two neurodegenerative diseases, where the author developed experience with, namely multiple sclerosis and globoid cell leukodystrophy
Summary
The immune system is composed of a network of cells and proteins that act in concert to defend the body against diseases. NK cells with phenotypes and functional activities similar to activated NK cells can be found in the liver of normal rats [11] These observations suggest that NK cells found in secondary lymphoid tissues or in non-lymphoid tissues have been stimulated in situ before their extravasation into these areas. The majority of peripheral blood resting NK cells (about 80%–90%) do not express the CD56 molecule, and are designated as CD56dim/− cells These cells have high cytolytic activity and low immunoregulatory capacity, whereas the other 10%–20%, designated as CD56bright/+. Cells, have high immunoregulatory function and low cytolytic activity [8,12] In addition to their role in cancer [4,5], NK cells are involved in autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis [13], systemic lupus erythematosus [14] and rheumatoid arthritis [15]. NK cells have been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease [20,21], this review will focus on two neurodegenerative diseases, where the author developed experience with, namely multiple sclerosis and globoid cell leukodystrophy
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